- OBJECTIVE
The Bank is committed to ensure its business and operations are conducted in an ethical, moral and legal manner. In line with this commitment, the Bank has put in place the Whistleblowing Policy and Procedures (WBP) to provide an avenue for all staff and third parties including but not limited to customers, agents, vendors, contractors, suppliers, insurance companies, consultants, solicitors, valuers, repossessors, external trainers, service providers and developers to disclose any alleged illegal, unethical, questionable practices or improper conduct committed or about to be committed within the Bank. The disclosures shall be treated in strict confidence and without any risk of reprisal. - SCOPE OF REPORTING
Any irregularity and improper conduct, including but NOT limited to the following:- Fraud or Dishonesty
- Theft or Embezzlement
- Bribery, Corruption
- Sexual Harassment
- Abuse of Power
- Breach of Applicable Laws and Regulations, Including Any Illegal Activities (Including but not limited to Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing Activities, Proliferation Financing and Targeted Financial Sanctions)
- Breach of the Bank’s Policies and Procedures (including but not limited to Code of Ethics, Staff Conduct & Discipline, Violation of Human Rights)
- Insider Trading
- Conflict of Interest
- Improper Use or Falsification of Management and Financial Information
- Misuse of Bank’s Property and Information
- Bullying, Harassment, Sexual Harassment
- Gross Mismanagement or Dereliction of Duties
- Others
- REPORTING PROCEDURE
3.1 To report any irregularity/misconduct committed or about to be committed (including any criminal act), the Whistleblower is encouraged to provide the relevant details in the web-form when user clicks on the PBLALERT Link (see below item 4.1) or send an Email to PBLALERT@publicbank.com.my. 3.2 The Whistleblower is responsible to ensure that the disclosure is made in good faith, free from malicious intent, and is not for personal gains or with a vested interest. This is also not a channel for taking up any personal grievances. 3.3 Disclosures are expected to be made on reasonable grounds. However, reports made that are frivolous, not true, misleading or made mala fide or with malicious intent may result in disciplinary or other action. - REPORTING CHANNELS
4.1 Disclosure via the PBLALERT Link (click here). A web-form will be populated once the link is invoked for the Whistleblower to insert relevant details. 4.2 Disclosure via Protected Email Address at: PBLALERT@publicbank.com.my 4.3 All of the above are secured and protected channels accessible only by the authorised personnel. 4.4 The Bank at its discretion, may keep the Whistleblower informed of the outcome of any investigation within constraints of maintaining confidentiality or observation of legal restrictions - PROTECTION ACCORDED TO WHISTLEBLOWER(S)
5.1 The Bank encourages the Whistleblower to disclose his/her identity to enable him/her to be accorded with the necessary protection and to facilitate investigation. Nevertheless, the Whistleblower may choose to remain anonymous, although in certain circumstances, it may limit the conduct of a comprehensive investigation due to insufficient information. 5.2 The Bank will accord protection of confidentiality to the Whistleblower to the extent reasonably consistent with the need to conduct an adequate investigation. 5.3 The Bank will take all reasonable steps to protect the Whistleblower against any discrimination, retaliation or harassment, corresponding to its internal policies and scope under its purview and supervision. - WITHDRAWAL OF DISCLOSURE
The Whistleblower who wishes to withdraw his/her disclosure is required to write to PBLALERT@publicbank.com.my, together with supporting reason(s) for the withdrawal. Notwithstanding such withdrawal, the Bank reserves the right to proceed with investigation on the matters arising from the disclosure. - OTHER REPORTING CHANNELS
The Whistleblower may also lodge a report with the Royal Malaysia Police, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) or any other enforcement agencies as defined under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 and forward a copy of the said report to the Bank to enable the Bank to conduct its own internal investigations.
PUBLIC BANK (L) LTD'S CODE OF ETHICS
Public Bank Group’s Corporate Philosophy
As a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Public Bank Group, the Bank’s corporate philosophy is aligned to the Public Bank Group’s Corporate Philosophy which sets out the following:
The Bank Cares for …
- Its Customers
- Its Employees
- Its Shareholders
- the Community It Serves
…………With INTEGRITY
The Bank’s philosophy is embedded in the following 5 (five) fundamental ethical principles which shall be consistently applied across the Bank. In adhering to the highest standards, the Bank aims to build a sustainable, ethical, strong, respectable and profitable business.
FUNDAMENTAL ETHICAL PRINCIPLES
- Competence
Excellence is our commitment. As such, we are committed to continuous learning and improvement by developing and maintaining relevant knowledge, skills and behavior to ensure that our business activities are conducted professionally and proficiently.
- Integrity
We are honest, open and transparent in all business dealings / relationships with all our stakeholders. Personal accountability and trustworthiness is central to our culture.
- Fairness
We act responsibly and take actions that are fair, equitable and transparent towards all stakeholders.
- Confidentiality
We respect and protect the confidentiality and sensitivity of customer’s information. There is no compromise to banking secrecy in all our dealings/relationships.
- Objectivity
We do not allow bias, conflict of interest or undue influence of others to influence or override our business and professional judgement.
Reporting of Unethical Behaviour
The Bank’s Whistleblowing Policy and Procedures sets out the channels/procedures for all staff as well as third parties (such as customers, agents, vendors, contractors, suppliers, insurance companies, consultants, solicitors, valuers, repossessors, external trainers, service providers and developers) to disclose any illegal, unethical, questionable practices, improper conduct, irregularities or suspected irregularities within the Bank in a confidential manner that protects the whistleblower from any risk of reprisals.
Public Bank (L) Ltd recognises the importance of establishing and upholding good corporate governance and is committed to conducting its business in accordance with the highest ethical standards in full compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and standards.
The Bank adopts a “zero-tolerance approach” towards any form of bribery and corruption in conducting its business. All members of the Board of Directors, staff and third parties must uphold the highest standard of integrity and accountability in discharging their duties and to ensure that all Bank’s business activities are conducted in compliance with the applicable legal and regulatory requirements on anti-bribery and anti-corruption, both in letter and spirit.
The Bank’s staff are to refrain from offering or receiving any gifts, entertainment, hospitality and non-business travel to/from external party in the course of their duties as it may put them in an obligated or compromised position which could affect business judgement.
Reporting Channel
The Bank has made available the following avenues which serve as a confidential platform for all staff and third parties to disclose any acts of bribery and/or corruption in a confidential manner that protects the whistleblower from any risk or reprisals.
- Disclosure via the PBALERT Link at Public Bank Group Corporate Website. Select “About Us” > Select “Corporate Profile” Icon > Select “Corporate Governance” Icon > Select WBP Icon. The PBALERT link is included in the WBP item 4 – Reporting Channel. A pre-formatted form will be populated once the link is invoked for whistleblowers to insert relevant details.
- Disclosure via Protected Email Address at: PBALERT@publicbank.com.my
We are committed to complying with the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 in protecting at all times the confidentiality, integrity and security of the information provided by you to us. You may view our Privacy Notice to understand our collection and use of your personal information and exercise your rights in respect of the same.
Click here to view our Privacy Notice.
