Affin Bank Receives ISO 37001 Anti-Bribery Certification
Kuala Lumpur, 12 August 2025 — United Certification Services Sdn Bhd (UNICERT), an accredited certification body under the Department of Standards Malaysia (DSM), has formally conferred the Anti-Bribery Management System (ABMS) ISO 37001:2016 certification to Affin Bank in a distinguished handover ceremony held at the bank’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
The event was graced by Dato’ Agil Natt, Chairman of Affin Bank Group, and Datuk Wan Razly Abdullah Wan Ali, President & Group Chief Executive Officer of Affin Bank Group. Representing UNICERT were Mr. Abdul Kader, Director, and Ms. Adhlin Sofia, Scheme Manager. The ceremony’s special guest, Tan Sri Abu Kassim, delivered an address on the strategic objectives of Malaysia’s National Anti-Corruption Plan (NACP) and the significance of the ABMS framework in advancing the nation’s anti-corruption agenda.
The Malaysian government, through the NACP 2019–2023, has underscored the importance of integrity, transparency, and accountability as foundational pillars for sustainable governance and public trust. ISO 37001, the globally recognised ABMS standard, provides organisations with a structured and internationally benchmarked system for preventing, detecting, and responding to bribery. Affin Bank’s successful certification demonstrates its firm commitment to a zero-tolerance approach towards bribery and corruption, in full alignment with the compliance expectations of Bank Negara Malaysia, while strengthening public confidence in its governance practices.
Dato’ Agil Natt, in his remarks, affirmed that the certification is a significant step in the bank’s ongoing mission to operate with the highest standards of ethical conduct. He stated that the bank’s integrity framework is designed not only to meet regulatory requirements but also to foster a culture of trust and transparency across its entire organisation.
Datuk Wan Razly Abdullah Wan Ali reiterated that ABMS certification represents more than compliance — it is an organisational commitment to embed integrity within every aspect of banking operations. He expressed that the bank views this achievement as an opportunity to set a benchmark for ethical business conduct in Malaysia’s financial sector.
Special guest Tan Sri Abu Kassim praised Affin Bank’s leadership for embracing ISO 37001, emphasising that the ABMS framework directly supports the NACP’s goal of institutionalising anti-bribery measures in both public and private sectors. He stressed that Malaysia’s anti-corruption strategy requires organisations to adopt robust governance systems that reinforce ethical conduct and safeguard public trust.
UNICERT, accredited by DSM in accordance with ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 requirements, conducted a comprehensive and impartial audit of Affin Bank’s anti-bribery management system. The certification process involved detailed risk assessments, evaluation of anti-bribery policies and controls, due diligence on third-party relationships, internal audits, and senior management reviews.
Presenting the certificate, Mr. Abdul Kader commended Affin Bank’s achievement, stating: “This ABMS certification reflects Affin Bank’s unwavering leadership and dedication to ethical banking. National anti-corruption strategies are strengthened when organisations implement internationally recognised systems that uphold integrity. UNICERT is proud to partner in this achievement, and we are confident that Affin Bank will inspire others to follow this path of excellence.”
Through the ABMS certification, Affin Bank has enhanced its governance and compliance framework, strengthened mechanisms for bribery risk assessment and management, and implemented robust whistleblowing and reporting procedures. These measures further align the bank with regulatory standards and reinforce its position as a trusted financial institution.
The ceremony concluded with acknowledgment of the collaborative efforts between Affin Bank’s leadership, employees, and UNICERT’s audit team in achieving this milestone. Both organisations reaffirmed their commitment to advancing Malaysia’s integrity agenda and contributing to a corruption-free corporate environment.
