Question:
Discuss about the Corporate Law for Ethics,Governance & Accountability.
Malaysia was also aware of corruption in the headlines, but not in recent years. Lately, on the contrary, Malaysia has been very well stopped in all international measures of corruption … or absence of it. Why this good rating? Among the decisive factors we can highlight our traditional administrative system, a typical bureaucracy based on the rule of law; the political system of consensus, which emphasizes the solution of common problems; freedom of speech and our active press; open and transparent administration; a sensitive civil society, and the exceptionally strong Nordic egalitarian tradition (Bainbridge and Bainbridge, n.d.). Therefore, the fight against corruption must be an inescapable part of the ethical commitment of any company. Not doing so is denying the business concept itself.
There is a very big difference between the perception in good corporate governance and the reality of the corrupt practices in Malaysia. Although, Malaysian Code Of Corporate Governance(MCCG) was established, it is clear that the rankings in transparency index in Malaysia is becoming lower each year. This is partly because MCCG cannot be used for prosecution, further, it should be noted that a good act will not necessarily translate into entrenching punitive measures for corruption in Malaysia. A good example is the Bumitora Bank heist. This was a good example where directors of a company and other actors collude and defraud the company. In Bumi, business man George Tan was found culpable and handed maximum sentence after his Carrian Group of companies collapsed in what is the biggest bankruptcy case in Malysia yet. The case led to the murder of Jalil Ibrahim, a bank assistant manager who was investigating the case. This was a successful case. However, another case wher MCCG have failed is the 1MDB. the main actors in this case were Low Jho Tek and the then Malaysian PM Najib Razak. Due to the political correctness of the actors no prosecution or convictions have been done so far.
The reality is there is a gap between good corporate governance and the corruption witnessed in Malaysia. Major corruption scandals have rocked Malaysia entangling bank officials and government official in equal measure. The Government of former Prime Ministers were involved in big corruption scandals that almost rocked the country to its knees. The reality is, although most of the bank scandals have been unearthed most of the officials have not been jailed or prosecuted (Roth and Kindler, 2013). This has shown that without goodwill, MCCG largely remain good policies and that is why there is a perception gap between good governance and actual corruption witnessed(Bainbridge and Bainbridge, n.d.).
At the legislative level, Malaysia has made a profound progress in this area following the ratification in January 2000 of the OECD Convention on the Fight against Corruption of Foreign Public Officials of 1999, which urges member countries to make important changes in their legislation (Dellaportas, 2005).
Although the Convention focuses on corruption abroad, the measures proposed and their recommendations are equally valid to prevent internal corruption. In Malaysia, the implementation of the OECD Convention has entailed important legislative changes, including at least two important aspects in the fight against corruption:
The introduction in 2010 of the criminal responsibility of the legal person, and of the prevention and compliance programs as elements of criminal exoneration in the year 2015, has been a shock to companies to face the risk of corruption in a preventive way.
The reforms implemented, also in 2010, both in the Criminal Code and in the Law on Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing, require financial operators to exercise greater control over illegal money transactions arising from criminal activities such as corruption or tax evasion (Fundamentals of ethics, corporate governance and business law, 2012).
For the implementation of an ethical model of prevention and control of corruption, companies have a great model in the OECD Guide to Good Practices, which incorporates the recommendations made by the Working Group on Corruption under the Convention (WIELAND, 2016).
Again, although recommendations are foreseen for corruption in international transactions, the guide is perfectly effective in preventing corruption in all areas in the US, the UK and even Australia.
There are various remedies that have been put in place to ensure that there is effective corporate governance in Malaysis just like other countries that share the same MCCG policies in the country. Board of governance in companies should put a raft of measures that help to instill good ethics in the company and in the employees. A company should have clearly defined vision and mission statement that help it in operationalization of functions and reducing fraud. MCCG, should ensure that the companys structures are clearly defined and understand the key principles of corporate governance(Boros and Duns, 2013).. Attending continuous development programs to ensure that the MCCGs are updated and are upto par with the current corporate governance trend. MCCG is not merely a comploiance issue but an application issue.
In summary, the measures that a committed company should apply involve the following behaviors: The support of the highest levels of the organization of internal control measures and ethical commitment in the fight against corruption.The responsibility for the control and monitoring of anti-corruption measures should fall on autonomous personnel and bodies, with sufficient resources and with the power to inform the audit committees of the Board of Directors or the supervisory boards. Clear and defined ethical policies for your employees and executives on gifts, accommodation and leisure expenses, customer travel, political contributions, donations to organizations and sponsorships, and facilitation payments (WIELAND, 2016).
In the united State,
It should provide guidance and advice to its employees and managers, especially in difficult situations or doubts about ethical behavior (Boros and Duns, 2013).
We have a set of practices of transparency, ethics, corporate governance, internal control and risks that ensure that we have a solid and sustainable Corporate Governance model that generates confidence for all our stakeholders and ensures the sustainability of companies’ businesses in all the countries where we have presence.
Throughout our history, we have sought to cement decision-making in sound ethical principles and transparency, and culture in a system of institutional values ??that are reflected in our action, generating coherence between those who think, say and do. All the companies in all the countries in which has a presence have a unique model of Corporate Governance, which makes it possible to apply the principles and policies so that we can (Dorresteijn and Dorresteijn, 2009):
Have strong systems of risk management, internal control, financial, accounting and administration and process management. Ensuring that the benefits to our interest groups derived from financial results are fundamental premise the generation of value
Businesses are not corrupt. Corrupted are the people who run businesses. Based on this statement I can indicate that a company is the long shadow of its managers. For this reason, I will point out that the creator and determinant of corporate corruption is at the apex of the organization (whether by its decisions or its omissions).
The hallmark of top management, said Peter Drucker, lies in the emphasis, strength and insistence on integrity and high standards of conduct and justice that the top management of its employees demands and commands.
A country, a company and an organization depend, to a great extent, on the mood of their managers. If those who have earned the right to lead do not reflect integrity, coherence and credibility in their actions and words, others will see corruption as a cultural matter, typical of the expression that says everyone does so in this place (Anis Yusal Yusoff., n.d.).
1. Personal desire for economic and professional gain
All, legitimately, aspire to a better life from a material and professional point of view. The problem is, therefore, in the fact of wanting to achieve our objectives through shortcuts and using fast paths. We forget that success goes hand in hand with sustained and careful work. The other problem is in the type of society in which we live. It is a society that presses us all the time towards consumerism and ostentation (Siddiquee, 2013).
3. The rationalizations performed by the person before making the decision
Before making the corrupt decision, comes the determinant element of the corruption: the rationalizations or justifications of the conduct. It consists of saying to ourselves or to accomplices the following expressions: “everyone does, my salary is unfair, nobody will notice, this is like taking a cat’s hair, it’s not illegal, I do not do this to him bad to anyone, violating this rule I’m not stealing a weight, I deserve it, I’ll do it only once and now (Siddiquee, 2013).
In the United States, the example of Rupert Murdoch Ponzi scheme is best illustrated. He had defrauded the public more than $65 billion in a span of 20 years. The profits of the company proved to be too good, however, due to good corporate governance structures he was arrested and is serving a life sentence in prison. Encouraging corporate whistle –blowing is also an effective way of to encourage and improve corporate governance initiatives(WIELAND, 2016).. In the UK, major bank heists have been unearthed due to whistle blowing that helped save billion especially in top banks like Barclays bank.
This does not mean that economic incentives should be eliminated, but their existence and bestowal demand care especially in the US with companies such as IBM, Dell and Wal-Mart having good corporate governance (Siddiquee, 2013).
Ethics programs in corruption should be applicable to third parties as agents, intermediaries, consultants, distributors, contractors, suppliers . The company’s financial and accounting procedures should include adequate internal controls to ensure the accuracy of books and accounts so that they cannot be used to conceal corrupt payments. Periodic communication and documented training should be ensured at all levels of the company on prevention measures and code of ethics. It should be encouraged through positive aid policies for compliance with prevention program. The company must have appropriate disciplinary procedures to sanction non-compliance with anti-corruption policies.
More examples come from Enron USA where the whole company came tumbling down due to fraud and corruption., the us corporate governance came up with measures that will reduce corporate theft and missapropriation of shareholders fund. In Australia and UK firms such as BP were found to be guilty of unethical behaviors especially when oil was spilt in the gulf of mexico and the company had to take responsibility. The recommendation is that a lot of decisions had to be made affected the head of the companys and they must bear the greatest responsibilities.
Conclusion
For MCCGs to work, good corporate governance should be laid into practice. Malaysia has good systems but the implementation is wanting. The best remedy is to strengthen good governance and help board to inculcate integrity in the systems.
The behavior of people is shaped by law, morality and culture. These three factors, the makers of personal decisions, limit or encourage people to act in one way or another. For this reason, several commitments by governments, managers and universities are essential to reduce corruption
The business world is a field of objectives and results and, also, principles. Businesses are not corrupt. Corrupted are the people who run businesses. Based on this statement I can indicate that a company is the long shadow of its managers. For this reason, I will point out that the creator and determinant of corporate corruption is at the apex of the organization (whether by its decisions or its omissions (Siddiquee, 2013).
References
Anis Yusal Yusoff. (n.d.). Combatting corruption.
Bainbridge, S. and Bainbridge, S. (n.d.). Corporate law.
.Boros, E. and Duns, J. (2013). Corporate Law. Melbourne: OUPANZ.
Cilliers, H. (2000). Corporate law. Durban: Butterworths.
Dellaportas, S. (2005). Ethics, governance & accountability. Milton (Qld.): J. Wiley & Sons Australia.
Dorresteijn, A. and Dorresteijn, A. (2009). European corporate law. Alphen Aan Den Rijn: Kluwer Law International.
Fundamentals of ethics, corporate governance and business law. (2012). Oxford: CIMA Pub.
Roth, G. and Kindler, P. (2013). The spirit of corporate law. Oxford, United Kingdom: Hart.
Shelar, N. (2016). Corporate law. [Place of publication not identified]: I K International Publish.
Siddiquee, N. (2013). Public management and governance in Malaysia. London: Routledge.
WIELAND, J. (2016). GOVERNANCE ETHICS. [Place of publication not identified]: SPRINGER INTERNATIONAL PU.
Essay Writing Service Features
Our Experience
No matter how complex your assignment is, we can find the right professional for your specific task. Contact Essay is an essay writing company that hires only the smartest minds to help you with your projects. Our expertise allows us to provide students with high-quality academic writing, editing & proofreading services.
Free Features
Free revision policy
$10Free bibliography & reference
$8Free title page
$8Free formatting
$8How Our Essay Writing Service Works
First, you will need to complete an order form. It's not difficult but, in case there is anything you find not to be clear, you may always call us so that we can guide you through it. On the order form, you will need to include some basic information concerning your order: subject, topic, number of pages, etc. We also encourage our clients to upload any relevant information or sources that will help.
Complete the order form
Once we have all the information and instructions that we need, we select the most suitable writer for your assignment. While everything seems to be clear, the writer, who has complete knowledge of the subject, may need clarification from you. It is at that point that you would receive a call or email from us.
Writer’s assignment
As soon as the writer has finished, it will be delivered both to the website and to your email address so that you will not miss it. If your deadline is close at hand, we will place a call to you to make sure that you receive the paper on time.
Completing the order and download