DLW 5013 Business law & ethics

MALAYSIA’S 3RD BUSINESS ETHICS ROUND TABLE (‘RT’): “Making a decisive business decision must be based on facts and not on perceptions. Leadership encouraging the courage to stand-up, empathy and sympathy as appropriate and whistle-blowing  are the key enablers to an ethical environment/ culture; Ethical practices provide the Brand with a competitive edge to build a successful company, reduce attrition rate, ensuring profits will prevail eventually; Competitiveness in a business culture is crucial. We must be able to manage expectations of the result of the result. Top commitment to-ward work culture must be visible. Poorly aligned incentives and lack of transparency retards communication, in managing expectations of the result of the result; Ethical practices need to be embedded in business culture to promote sustainability and leaders need to gain public trust; Most investments do not invest in ethics. Even CSR programs are not taking ethics seriously. They are more compliance driven.” The above RT represents a snapshot on past business ethics status in Malaysia and elsewhere in ASEAN region.  Taking into account the current Covid-19 pandemic, provide your response to the following cross-border dilemma: (a) In response to COVID 19 pandemic, Malaysia has put in place both legal and ethical approaches to sustain business for public’s interest. In your opinion, are these legal and ethical approaches effective in tackling business concerns that affects SMEs and the small businesses in Malaysia?  Besides Malaysia, what are the best approaches that could be adopted by Malaysia based on practices from other countries (look at UK, or any ASEAN country as examples?(b) Corporate Social Responsibility (‘CSR') is a crucial factor in the corporate world in Asia-pacific. In Malaysia, CSR activity is seeing gradual appreciation by public companies- including private companies.  CSR has been considered as an important driver in advancing the interest of the local community in Malaysia. Since 18 March 2020, is CSR still relevant? Is CSR required on all companies in Malaysia? What is the standard used in reporting CSR activity and is this standard practical and useful? Can CSR support Industrial Revolution 4.0 at the domestic community level in Malaysia?  Using USA and UK example include in your discussion CSR practices that may be adopted in Malaysia to raise the level of CSR in Malaysia. You may need to refer to any relevant case law and industrial case study examples as support.

(c) With special focus on public companies, Corporate Social Responsibility (‘CSR') is inadequate in promoting integrity and sustainability for public companies in Malaysia. This is where Corporate Governance (‘CG’) comes in to ensure corporate transparency, management accountability, etc within the corporate levels.  Refer to the recent Code on Corporate Governance 2017 ('MCCG 2017'), and provide your evaluation the current practice of CG in Malaysia. Is there any real improvement over recent years and weaknesses in the CG’s practice? Examine if there is any motivation to see better enhancement to the present CG practice? In your examination, select a European Union country and compare it with the Malaysia for better appreciation. 

 (d) Halal Business and Industry is now considered an essential part of the corporate scene in Malaysia and in ASEAN under the new ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) framework. Based on Syariah law provisions, give your assessment on the position of both Corporate Social Responsibility (‘CSR') and Corporate Governance (‘CG’) in Malaysia. Are they recognised under Syariah law within Halal Business and Industry?  In your assessment, include any ASEAN country examples.