The ACCA MaSRA 2016 aligns to new requirements by Bursa Malaysia 
 
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- Sustainability practices and reporting in Malaysia is becoming a mainstream exercise within Corporate Malaysia, with many companies reaping the benefits that come with it, said ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants).
 
According to the Head of ACCA Malaysia, David Chin, there has been an unprecedented wave of activity to recalibrate businesses’ processes, behaviours and reporting towards a sustainable future.
 
“In Malaysia, significant groundwork on sustainability reporting has been done over the last 20 years. And based on our observations of participants in the ACCA Malaysia Sustainability Reporting Awards (MaSRA) programme, there are increasingly more companies reporting enhanced business performances because of their willingness to embed sustainability into their corporate DNA, and their ability to communicate this to their stakeholders.
 
“As far as reporting on sustainability is concerned, we are definitely moving in the right direction. But we find that there are still calls from companies – both from small start-ups and MNCs – for clearer guidance how to complete an effective sustainability reporting exercise,” David shared.
 
The evolution of corporate reporting saw companies called to focus on environmental aspects, which was followed by the inclusion of social issues and, more recently, a wider aspect of sustainability matters that include governance and stakeholder engagements.
 
David empathised that navigating through the complex landscape of sustainability reporting standards, regulations and voluntary initiatives can seem a daunting task. Even when there is strong support from the C-suite level towards sustainability reporting, it is observed that a comprehensive knowledge and skills needed to produce reports relevant to stakeholders is still lacking.
 
“Where sustainability reporting is concerned, this exercise requires all parties – from the top management to the report writer – to come together to craft that cohesive story.
 
“Hence, ACCA wholeheartedly welcomed Bursa Malaysia’s Sustainability Reporting Toolkit, which was released when it announced the new listing requirement for public listed companies (PLCs). This new toolkit will act as a useful compass to help Malaysian companies traverse the constantly shifting corporate reporting landscape,” said David.
 
To align to this new requirement, the ACCA MaSRA 2016, which is now open for submission, will incorporate Bursa’s new listing requirements and guidance in the judging criteria of the Awards this year. Chief Regulatory Officer of Bursa Malaysia Berhad, Selvarany Rasiah, will be the Chief Judge of the Awards.
 
“This will be the fourteenth cycle of our Awards programme. We’re very proud to gain Bursa Malaysia’s endorsement for our Awards, and also collaborate with Talent Corporation Malaysia for the fourth consecutive year. It is our hope that our joint efforts will expedite the embedment of sustainability practices and enhance the quality of reporting in Malaysia,” enthused David.
 
Speaking of the motivation behind ACCA’s awards programme, David explained: “Since the mid-1990s, ACCA has regularly published research that guide and inform both preparers and corporations on how to produce reports that provide greater transparency on their business performance. Enhancing corporate transparency is ultimately what the ACCA MaSRA is all about.”
 
Started in 2002, the ACCA MaSRA is Malaysia’s longest running awards programme focused on sustainability reporting. It is open to companies from any sector, have any type of business and any number of employees. Companies keen to participate have until 30 September 2016 to submit their entries. For more information about the ACCA MaSRA programme, go to accaglobal.com/masra    

About the ACCA MaSRA
The ACCA MaSRA programme recognises best practices in sustainability reporting within Corporate Malaysia. Since its inception in 2002, these Awards have served as an important platform to create awareness on corporate environment and social responsibility and benefits of reporting to business.
 
Past winners include Axiata Group Bhd, Media Prima Bhd, Maybank, Sime Darby Bhd, Nets Printwork Sdn Bhd, to name a few.
 
The Awards, now in its fourteenth cycle, help underline the business case for sustainable practices and development. It is open to companies from any sector, have any type of business and any number of employees.
 
accaglobal.com/masra

SOURCE : ACCA Malaysia (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Name : Berenice Then
Senior Manager, Public Relations
ACCA Malaysia
Tel: + (603) 2289 0117 / + (60)12 381 5589              
Email: berenice.then@accaglobal.com

--BERNAMA