Affin Bank Berhad | Annual Report 2020

3. Company Secretary The Board is supported by a qualified Company Secretary in discharging its functions. The Company Secretary plays an advisory role to the Board and is qualified under Section 235(2) of the Companies Act, 2016, experienced and competent in performing her duties. The Board has direct access to the advice and services of the Company Secretary who is responsible to the Board for ensuring that all governance matters and Board procedures are followed, and that applicable laws and regulations are complied with. The Company Secretary attends the Board, selected Board Committees’ as well as Management Committees meetings which she is the appointed Secretary and is responsible for supporting the effective functioning of the Board. In discharging this role, the Company Secretary provides counsel to the Board on governance matters and facilitates the communication of key decisions and policies between the Board, Board Committees and Management. The Board is also regularly updated and kept informed of the latest developments in the legislation and regulatory framework affecting the Bank as well as the Group. The Board is also advised by the Company Secretary on the proposed contents and timing of material announcements to be made to regulatory authorities. 4. Code of Ethics/Conduct The Bank has put in place a Code of Ethics and Standard of Professional Conduct. The Code of Ethics is to ensure that staff consistently adhere to a high standard of professionalism and ethics in the conduct of business and professional activities to serve the legitimate interest of the Bank’s customers clients with high standards of professional and ethical behavior. The Standard of Professional Conduct to ensure that staff is fully committed to uphold, maintain and demonstrate a high level of integrity and professionalism at all times. The Bank prescribes certain values and principles which staff is expected to uphold and abide. The Code of Conduct specifies the minimum standards of conduct expected of staff of the Bank. All Directors and employees of the Bank are expected to exercise caution and due care in safeguarding confidential and price- sensitive information of the Bank and its business associates from being misused including for personal benefits, at all times. In managing the exposure of such misuse of price-sensitive information to trading of shares or other securities, the Directors and Management are reminded periodically of the prohibition of insider trading and the dealings in securities during closed periods in accordance with the relevant provisions of the MMLR. 5. Whistleblowing Policy Whistleblowing Policy is developed to promote whistleblowing in a positive manner that provides an avenue to escalate concerns on improper conduct and to handle such concerns appropriately, in line with the fundamental objectives of Whistleblower Protection Act 2010. This includes the following:- i. Safeguard the Bank’s reputation by minimising unfavorable surprise events in relation to improper conduct. ii. Encourage Whistleblower to divulge pertinent information on improper activity occurring within the Bank and subsequently to curtail the possible detrimental impact. iii. Exhibit better corporate governance on managing whistleblowing issue, which is to be managed in a transparent manner by creating awareness on the protection, confidentiality and enforceability of whistleblowing. The Whistleblowing Policy is available on the Bank’s website at www.affinbank.com.my . 182 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE OVERVIEW STATEMENT ORGANISATION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CORPORATE GOVERNANCE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OTHER INFORMATION