Whistleblowing
Whistleblowing Policy Statements
The Bank is committed to ensuring the highest standard of ethics, transparency, integrity, impartiality and accountability in the conduct of its affairs, business and operations.
The Bank shall take action on reports which have been made in accordance with the policy and procedure set.
Whistleblower who makes or receives a disclose improper conduct and focal person/investigator who receives or obtain confidential information in the course of the whistleblowing investigation shall not disclose the confidential information.
The reported information is reasonable, can be trusted, is not on a personal interest basis or malicious intent and is justified.
Any party who discloses any confidential information pertaining to the whistleblowing shall be subject to action based on the Bank’s Code of Conduct and may be liable under Whistleblowing Protection Act 2010 under section 8(4)
All actions in dealing with whistleblowing cases shall be guided by the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 or any other Act that is related to whistleblowing.
Disclosure of an Unethical Conduct and Malpractice
The disclosure shall be made if the whistle blower has a reasonable belief that corrupt activities have occurred, that shall include but not limited to the following:
Theft or embezzlement
Breach of applicable laws and regulations, including any illegal activities
Bribery and corruption
Abuse of power
Conflict of interest
Misuse of Bank’s property and information
Applicability of The Policy
This policy applies to the Bank’s employees and any other stakeholders / persons providing services to the Bank, including consultant, vendors, independent contractors, external agencies and/or any other party with a business relationship with the Bank. This policy also applies to members of the public, where relevant.
Making a Report
It is the duty of the Bank’s employee and member of the public to report any wrongdoings of which he/she is aware of or has a reasonable belief, whether these relate to the Bank’s employee or Board of Director, according to the following
| Alleged wrongdoer | SME Bank Group Employee | SME Bank Group President/Chief Executive Officer (“GP/CEO”), C-Suites, Chief Integrity & Governance Officer (“CIGO”) and IGD officer | Member of the Board and Shariah Committee of SME Bank | SME Bank Chairman of the Board |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whistleblowing Channels |
| The disclosure should be addressed in a sealed envelope marked “Highly Confidential” with indicative label “To be opened by Chairman of Board Audit Committee” to SME Bank Speak Up, PO Box No 2, Menara SME Bank, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. | The disclosure should be addressed in a sealed envelope marked “Highly Confidential” with indicative label “To be opened by Chairman of the Board” at SME Bank Speak Up, PO Box No 2, Menara SME Bank, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. | The disclosure should be addressed to the SME Bank reporting ministry and please refer to the respective ministry website i.e., Ministry of Finance (the website is accessible via this URL: https://www.mof.gov.my/portal/ms/ and Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (the website is accessible via this URL: https://www.kuskop.gov.my), for guidance on its whistleblowing procedure. |
Disclosure of Information
The Bank allow "Anonymous" disclosure, however, is not encouraged as any follow up to ascertain the facts or to obtain further information for investigation purposes could be difficult.
* All disclosures will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Enquiries
SME Bank Group support anti-corruption efforts of the Government and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission by strengthening its corporate governance and continuously inculcating the highest standards of honesty and transparent business practice. In ensuring this, we are consistently enhancing the existing policies, in line with the Malaysian relevant laws and regulations.
These policy document are subject to modification from time to time as the Board of Directors deems appropriate in the best interests of SME Bank Group, or as required by applicable laws and regulations.
For more information, you may contact:
Chief Integrity & Governance Officer
Integrity & Governance Department
Group Compliance Division
SME Bank Group
Level 21, Menara SME Bank
Jalan Sultan Ismail
50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
