In line with the Company’s commitment towards total integrity across the Group, Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) today launched its Integrity Pact to further strengthen the Company’s existing multiple integrity initiatives adopted in its business operations. The implementation of the Integrity Pact further cements TM’s position as a model corporate citizen committed to good governance and transparency.

The Integrity Pact is an agreement between TM and its vendors to abstain both parties from bribery, collusion and other corrupt practices in ensuring transparency and accountability, particularly in the procurement process. The pact outlines the rights and obligations of TM and the vendors while carrying out the awarded contracts. It also emphasizes on the need of TM’s employees involved in any procurement processes to adhere to the pledges.

The inaugural TM Integrity Pact was launched by Dato’ Sri Haji Abu Kassim Mohamed, Chief Commissioner of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). Also present at the launching ceremony were Datuk Dr. Halim Shafie, Chairman of TM, Dato’ Sri Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa, Group Chief Executive Officer, TM and Datuk Dr Mohd Tap Salleh, President of Malaysian Institute of Integrity (IIM).

Datuk Dr. Halim emphasized the important role of GLCs, especially TM in complementing the initiatives of the Government under the National Integrity Plan and the National Key Result Areas (NKRA) with regard to ensuring integrity and proper compliance in their daily business operations.

“With the implementation of TM Integrity Pact in the procurement process, bidders of TM contracts will need to sign an agreement with TM, in which they pledge not to be involved in any activity related to payment, offering, pressuring and even accepting bribery which may affect the final tender decision. This Integrity Pact also binds all contract bidders to abstain themselves from corruption during and after the contract tender. It serves as a message to the bidders and our business partners that TM does not accept any direct or indirect offer, payment, demand or accept bribes in any form,” said Datuk Dr. Halim

In addition, the Integrity Pact stressed out that any violation of the pact will result in stiff penalties which include termination of contracts, blacklisting, claims for liquidated damages as well as having the violation reported to the MACC.

“In line with the commitment towards supporting National Integrity Plan and NKRA, we have implemented various programmes to inculcate the integrity values in TM such as traning sessions, induction courses, roadshows and the introduction of Code of Business Ethics (CBE), among others. In fact, TM is proud to be the first GLC to adopt the e-learning methodology in effectively educating our staff of the Code of Business Ethics. Therefore, the launch of Integrity Pact today further strengthens our integrity initiatives in line with the Company’s vision of instilling, internalising and upholding the Company’s core value of “Uncompromising Integrity” and strong work ethics in the behaviour and conduct of the Board of Directors, Management, employees and all stakeholders of the Company. In fact, the icon for this Integrity Pact, called “Kristal Clear”, also reflect the message embedded in our core values which we aptly named KRISTAL,” added Datuk Dr. Halim.

The pact is intended to solidify TM’s commitment in establishing an exemplary responsible corporate organisation.

TM has had a long history of applying integrity in the workplace. In fact, TM first came up with the CBE in the form of a handbook that was introduced back in 2004. CBE is an integral part of the Company’s compliance programme that sets forth the standards that guide every action at TM, and applies to all directors, executives and employees, aimed at ensuring compliance with the myriad rules, regulations and laws that apply to TM as a GLC and as a company listed on Bursa Malaysia. In line with the CBE, all Management and Employees are required to declare their assets and interest including their Family business(s) annually to the Chief Human Capital Officer, Group Human Capital Management by submitting the Declaration of Asset (DOA) form through the DOA system annually. The company expects every employee to adhere to high ethical standards and to promote ethical behavior. Apart from that, it also addresses the issues related to conflict of interest and the whistle-blowing policy. The Code also has clear guidelines to curb insider trading. The implementation of TM’s CBE forms part of the Company’s Corporate Responsibilities (CR) in the marketplace and the workplace.

Last year, as part of its continuous commitment towards creating a business environment that is fair, transparent and free from corruption, TM also submitted its Corporate Integrity Pledge to IIM and PEMANDU in support of the national agenda in combating corruption in line with the objective of NKRA of “Fighting Corruption” under the Government’s Transformation Programme. In addition, TM also became a ‘Rakan Integrity’ of IIM with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIM in May 2011 in its effort to plan, implement, execute, oversee and evaluate the principles underlined by the National Integrity Plan within the Company.

In the broader picture, this latest initiative is in line with TM’s Corporate Responsibilities (CR) platform encompassing the 4 dimensions of workplace, marketplace, community and environment.

The Company has always been a leader in corporate excellence with relentless pursuit to achieve continuous improvement and adopt best practices. As a testament to this, TM was accorded the ‘Second Runner-Up Overall’ award at the Malaysian Business – CIMA Enterprise Governance Awards 2011 and the ‘First Runner-Up Overall’ award in 2010. TM has been receiving the Governance Awards for four (4) consecutive years. Meanwhile, in recognition of the Company’s commitment and untiring efforts towards promoting best practices at the workplace, TM won the prestigious Prime Minister’s CSR Award for best Workplace Practices for two consecutive (2) years, in 2009 and 2010.

For more information on TM and its Corporate Responsibilities within the workplace and externally, visit www.tm.com.my.