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Governance
-The Group has published the “ABC policy” and “Whistleblowing Policy” on its corporate website and outlined the Group’s commitment to perform business operations with good ethics and integrity and to comply with applicable laws and regulations requirements on anti-bribery and corruption.
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- The Group identifies, registers and evaluates the bribery risks and impacts on its activities, products and services.
- The Group also conducts due diligence procedures to determine whether a stakeholder is fit for the business relationship and able to operate ethically and in compliance with applicable laws and any policies set out by the Group. The internal Standard Operating Procedure (“SOP”) is designed to facilitate the operating companies to conduct due diligence on all stakeholders to minimise bribery and corruption within the Group. The due diligence procedures encompass employee recruitment, selection of suppliers and tender interviews and awarding processes.
- ABCMS Training
o Yearly external training for ABCMS committee members
o Yearly ABCMS internal training package for employees
o Online Quizzes to assess employees and committee members on ABCMS
o Training for internal auditors
- Communicate ABCSM initiatives to employees
o Distribution of ABCMS Pocket Cards (in English and Bahasa Malaysia languages) to all employees
o ABCMS awareness video (in English and Bahasa Malaysia languages)
o Routine ABCMS awareness sharing to the employees through the built-in intranet “SPARX”
o Printed ABCMS banners and posters
o ABCMS Info board
o ABCMS materials made available to all employees through the Group’s standard shared folder
- Made available in the language of communication used, i.e., English, the Supplier Code of Conduct and Ethics is also found on the corporate website to ensure effective communication of the Group’s business ethics and core values across the supply chain.
Anti-Bribery & Corruption Management System (ABCMS)
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HCIB maintained a strict adherence to our core values and ethical standards, resulting in a year of diligent enforcement and proactive measures against corruption. Notably, HCIB made no political contributions in FY2023. Our robust Anti-Bribery & Corruption Management System (ABCMS) contributed to no or zero incidents requiring disciplinary action or dismissal of staff due to non-compliance with our anti-corruption policies in FY2023. Furthermore, our adherence to these policies and proactive measures meant that HCIB face zero fines, penalties, or settlements related to corruption charges in FY2023.
ABCMS audit by SIRIM QAS in March 2023
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Training for staff on the anti-corruption policy
Education and empowerment of our staff in matters of ethics and integrity remained a cornerstone of our approach. Every member of our team received comprehensive training on the nuances of corruption, including but not limited to bribery, fostering well-informed workforce capable of identifying and preventing corrupt practices.
A comprehensive anti-corruption training has been designed to educate HCIB employees, about the various forms of corruption, how to recognize them, and the steps to prevent and report such activities. This training covers a wide range of topics to ensure a thorough understanding of the ethical, legal, and professional standards required to combat corruption effectively. The content of anti-bribery training typically covers a broad range of topics designed to educate HCIB employees about the legal, ethical, and operational aspects of preventing bribery and corruption within an organization. That includes:
o Introducing basic concepts, definitions, and the difference between bribery and corruption.
o An overview of the legal framework of Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009.
o The ABCMS training for HCIB employees includes various elements or types of corruption, such as bribery, theft and fraud, conflict of interest, and illegal information trading.
o Training on identifying high-risk situations and red flags that may indicate bribery or corrupt practices.
o Guidance on making ethical decisions in ambiguous situations.
o Information on the importance of reporting suspected bribery and the mechanisms in place to do so safely and confidentially.
o An overview of whistle-blower protections to help employees feel secure and supported in reporting wrongdoing.
o Strategies for preventing bribery, such as due diligence processes, the establishment of an ethical corporate culture, and the development of controls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent corrupt practices.
o Clarification of the roles and responsibilities of employees, management, and compliance officers in preventing bribery and promoting compliance with relevant laws and organizational policies.
Webinar on “Offences stipulated in the Malaysian Anti-corruption Act 2009 (MACC Act 2009) (Act 694)” on International Anti-Corruption Day
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Beyond mere awareness, we equipped our staff with Anti-corruption Short Notes – a concise guide that encapsulates the objectives of our ABCMS and summarizes key policies along with the potential repercussions under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009. This initiative is designed to foster a culture of transparency and accountability, providing our team with the knowledge and tools they need to uphold the highest standards of integrity.
At HCIB, we recognize that the battle against corruption is ongoing and requires vigilance, education, and a solid framework for ethical conduct. Our efforts are a testament to our unwavering dedication to not only comply with anti-corruption laws but to lead by example in fostering an organizational culture where ethical practices are the norm, and corruption has no place.
