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Transparency
International Malaysia (TI-M) request for the full investigation of
Transmile Group Berhad’s financial irregularities.
Tan Sri
(Dr) Ramon V. Navaratnam
TI-M
takes a very serious view of the findings of the Moores Rowland Risk
Management’s (MRRM) findings of its final report on Transmile Group
Berhad (TGB).
The
MRRM report shows that TGB overstated their revenue by RM 95 million
in FY 04, RM 194 million in FY 05 and RM 333 million in FY 06. In
addition, RM 341 million in its Property, Plant and Equipment account
appeared to have been fabricated as the amount was not supported by
documentations. TGB had also made payments of RM 55 million between
October and December 06 and RM 134 million between March and April 07
that were not supported by payment vouchers. This would appear to be
a flagrant violation of the principles of good governance,
transparency, integrity and accountability which TI strongly
advocates in government and businesses.
Hence,
TI-M calls for a full investigation by all the relevant authorities
concerning the alleged accusations. TI-M also urges that proper
measures should be taken if corporate fault and corruption are
proven. Ethical corporate governance is vital to the establishment,
foundation and growth of a company and indeed the whole Malaysian
economy. The culprits must be held accountable for their misdeeds in
deceiving the public in order to gain financially by any improper
means.
TI-M
promotes a corporate culture which is clear of corruption,
discrimination and unfair practices. Since the financial crisis of
1997 and the subsequent failures of Enron and WorldCom due to
accounting fraud, corporate governance and financial regulatory
requirements have been tightened in Malaysia. In spite of this, the
level of corporate integrity in the private sector still needs to be
improved significantly, judging by the numerous cases of
irregularities in public listed companies. We therefore call for the
following measures to be taken by the authorities and corporate
boards:-
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The
introduction of Integrity Pacts (IP) in both public and private
sector.
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TI-M
also encourages the protection of whistleblowers by appropriate laws
so that they can step up and promote integrity and transparency
within their organizations.
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Heavier
deterrence including imprisonment of corporate leaders for corporate
fraud.
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Corporate board to include strict measures to institutionalized integrity as
part of the corporate culture through a commitment to make an
integrity pledge to be observed at all corporate levels.
This
case clearly highlights the lack of integrity in the business sector
as well as the public sector. The integrity, accountability and
transparency of our private sector will be open to wide speculation
and doubt both domestically and internationally, if this matter is
not treated with seriousness and utmost priority.
TI-M
urges the privates sector to review, reform and strengthen its
commitment to promote good governance and accountability on a more
substantive and sustained manner, before adverse implications on the
future prospects of economic prosperity, political stability and
progress of Malaysia is more adversely affected.
Indeed
foreign direct investment and domestic investment as well can be
seriously jeopardized if the authorities are perceived to be lacking
in the political will to combat these alleged corrupt practices and
corruption in general in our country.
The
world is watching us on how this MRRM report will be handled by the
authorities and TI-M hopes Malaysia will deliver justice well!
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