THE International Fraud Awareness Week is an opportune time to discuss the importance of fraud prevention to society as a whole, with education being the first step to protect people from fraud, said Datuk Seri Akhbar Satar.
The founder and president of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners – Malaysia Chapter noted that this is as recent data and information released by regulators and law enforcement authorities in the country have indicated that Malaysia, too, is not immune to the growing seriousness of the global fraud problem.
“According to the ‘Occupational Fraud 2022: A Report to the Nations’ study conducted by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) fraud costs organisations worldwide an estimated 5% of their annual revenues,” Akhbar pointed out.
“As such, corporations, professional associations and statutory bodies must observe, support and participate in the International Fraud Awareness Week by holding events and conducting activities, such as training for employees and/or the community and sharing of articles on websites and in newsletters, to promote anti-fraud awareness and education among its stakeholders.
“In doing so, they will be joining hundreds of organisations all over the world who have partnered with the ACFE for the yearly International Fraud Awareness Week campaign, which is observed from Nov 13–19, 2022.”
Meanwhile, Akhbar further observed that this year’s International Fraud Awareness Week also comes at a particularly crucial period for Malaysia as the country goes to polls on Nov 19, 2022 for the 15th general election (GE15).
“Electoral fraud comes in the various shapes of voter suppression and vote buying, non-existent or illegal votes, or any illegal activities that infringes the integrity of the election process,” he remarked.
“As a record number of 945 candidates go about the final days of the campaigning period vying for parliamentary seats, it is imperative that they do not, in any way or form, engage in activities that are unethical and which may violate the Election Offences Act 1954.”
He added that with the International Fraud Awareness Week coinciding with the GE15 period in Malaysia, it provides an avenue for all candidates to “walk the talk” and demonstrate by exemplary conduct in their campaign efforts.
“This in turn will encourage and inspire others to champion the need to proactively fight fraud and do all that is necessary to achieve Malaysia’s aspiration to be a corrupt-free nation,” he justified. – Nov 10, 2022
Main pic credit: Harakah Daily
