Latest news with #ISO37001
Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa's infrastructure crippled: Can ISO 37001 fight back against the construction mafia?
Criminal syndicates known as the construction mafia have crippled South Africa's infrastructure sector, hijacking more than 180 projects and inflicting an estimated R63bn in economic losses, according to the National Treasury. Operating under the guise of community forums, these groups use intimidation, extortion, and violence to secure a foothold in government tenders and construction contracts. While law enforcement has begun to respond, 745 extortion cases have been reported, and 240 arrests have been made since November 2024. Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson admits that this is only the beginning. "We are turning the tide," he said recently, but warned that corruption remains deeply entrenched in procurement systems and local government supply chains. Against this backdrop, experts at WWISE (Worldwide Industrial and Systems Engineers) are calling for the widespread adoption of ISO 37001, a tool they believe could play a critical role in fortifying the sector from within. 'This may be South Africa's last line of defence if we want to build infrastructure without bribery or intimidation,' says Muhammad Ali, managing director at WWISE. 'ISO 37001 helps organisations embed ethical conduct into every stage of a project, from procurement to execution, making it harder for criminal networks to manipulate the system.' Global anti-bribery benchmark ISO 37001 is not just a policy; it's a globally recognised standard, or in other words, a formalised, best-practice framework developed by international experts to help organisations detect and prevent bribery. As a standard, ISO 37001 establishes a uniform, auditable benchmark for anti-bribery management across industries, enabling companies and governments to foster transparency, demonstrate accountability, and safeguard their reputations. 'The standard requires top-level leadership commitment, risk assessments, strict financial controls, and confidential reporting systems,' explains Ali. 'It doesn't just help companies avoid corruption, it actively reshapes their culture.' Corruption in the construction industry not only inflates costs but also endangers lives. Ali notes that criminal infiltration has led to shutdowns, missed milestones, and Service Level Agreement (SLA) penalties. 'We've seen cases where construction mafia threats delayed entire projects, with local authorities often turning a blind eye, or worse, getting a cut,' he says. Unchecked hiring hazards Van Zyl Krause, technical specialist at WWISE, warns that companies often feel forced to hire unqualified labour to avoid conflict. 'These so-called 'community contractors' are often unregistered, uninsured, and unsafe,' Krause says. 'That puts the principal contractor and everyone on site at risk, while forcing them to spend even more on private security.' ISO 37001 offers practical safeguards. It ensures that tender documents are traceable and auditable. It enforces ethical vetting of suppliers and enshrines whistleblower protection through encrypted systems. 'You can't bribe your way into a tender process governed by ISO 37001,' says Ali. Yet adoption of the standard remains frustratingly limited. 'Most construction companies in South Africa haven't implemented it,' Krause says. 'The only time we see ISO 37001 considered is when international investors require it.' Ali adds that public-sector resistance is particularly troubling. 'The fear is that ISO 37001 will expose misconduct,' he says. 'But that's the point. The excuses, 'too complex', 'too bureaucratic', don't hold water. This standard can be adapted to any organisation.' He points to a compelling case in Iraq, where a security company under attack from corrupt government officials used ISO 37001 to clear its name. 'The audits exposed the wrongdoing, and the officials were jailed. That's the power of a strong, standardised anti-bribery framework.' For smaller contractors, who are often the most vulnerable to extortion, ISO 37001 can provide an essential shield if supported by law enforcement. 'The problem may not be with the company,' Ali warns, 'but when it needs support, the authorities often fall short.' Standards drive reform WWISE urges companies to begin their journey with a Gap Assessment to identify risk areas, followed by a structured implementation process that includes internal training, documentation development, internal audits, and certification. 'This isn't a checkbox exercise,' says Ali. 'It's a roadmap to ethical business.' With billions at stake and a growing list of sabotaged projects, it's clear that arrests alone won't be enough. As Minister Macpherson rallies law enforcement, experts say South Africa must also rebuild its infrastructure sector from the inside out, with internationally recognised standards, such as ISO 37001, leading the way. 'If we don't change how we build,' says Ali, 'we'll keep rebuilding what criminals destroy.'
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia Aviation Group achieves anti-bribery management system certification
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) has officially become the first airline group in Malaysia to achieve the ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management System (ABMS) certification, reinforcing its strong commitment to zero tolerance for bribery, fraud and corruption within the organisation. This milestone marks the fulfilment of a key governance commitment under MAG's environmental, social and governance (ESG) agenda. MAG managing director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail said, 'An effective anti-bribery system must be driven from the top. This certification is not just a formality, it is a firm declaration of our zero-tolerance stance against bribery, fraud and corruption. ISO 37001 reinforces the controls we have built into every part of our operations, from procurement and policymaking to how we engage with partners be it in Malaysia or our international offices. This certification clearly signals our commitment to conducting business with the highest standards of integrity and our accountability in addressing any instances of non-compliance promptly. 'Trust and governance are not optional – they are the foundation of a sustainable aviation business, and this milestone reaffirms our leadership in that space.' The certification process was supported by MAG's board of directors and group executive committee, and included a detailed corruption risk assessment, the formation of a dedicated working group committee, and the development of the ABMS framework. This was complemented by 16 training sessions, workshops, and awareness campaigns rolled out across key business functions to embed the principles of integrity throughout the organisation. The certification currently applies to group-level functions involving governance, risk, compliance, sustainability and leadership, with controls in place to manage bribery risks across high-impact areas such as procurement, vendor engagement, and third-party interactions.
The Star
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia Aviation Group receives ISO certification for anti-bribery system
MAG Group managing director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail — ART CHEN/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) has become the first Malaysian airline group to achieve the ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management System (ABMS) certification. According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the certification is an internationally recognised standard for the implementation of anti-bribery management systems within an organisation. MAG said in a statement the certification currently applies to group-level functions involving governance, risk, compliance, sustainability, and leadership, with controls in place to manage bribery risks across high-impact areas such as procurement, vendor engagement, and third-party interactions. "An effective anti-bribery system must be driven from the top. This certification is not just a formality—it is a firm declaration of our zero-tolerance stance against bribery, fraud, and corruption. "ISO 37001 reinforces the controls we have built into every part of our operations, from procurement and policymaking to how we engage with partners be it in Malaysia or our international offices," said MAG group managing director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail. MAG's certification process was strongly supported by its board of directors and group executive committee, and included a detailed corruption risk assessment, the formation of a dedicated Working group committee, and the development of the ABMS framework. This was complemented by 16 training sessions, workshops, and awareness campaigns rolled out across key business functions to embed the principles of integrity throughout the organisation. MAG also operates a publicly accessible whistleblowing platform, providing a safe and confidential channel for reporting suspected misconduct. Within the organisation, the Group Business Integrity unit currently has two Certified Integrity Officers (CeIOs), with plans to certify more personnel across departments to ensure the ABMS is sustained and embedded throughout the Group. The group now aims to progressively expand the certification scope to include other business pillars and entities, with the goal of fostering a business ecosystem grounded in integrity and ethical conduct across all touchpoints.
New Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
MAG earns Malaysia's first airline anti-bribery ISO certification
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) has become the first airline group in the country to receive the ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management System (ABMS) certification, reflecting its commitment to tackling bribery, fraud, and corruption. MAG said the certification process received strong backing from its board of directors and group executive committee, and involved a comprehensive corruption risk assessment, the establishment of a dedicated Working Group Committee, and the creation of the ABMS framework. "This was complemented by 16 training sessions, workshops, and awareness campaigns rolled out across key business functions to embed the principles of integrity throughout the organisation," it added. The certification covers group-level functions related to governance, risk, compliance, sustainability, and leadership, with established controls to mitigate bribery risks in key areas such as procurement, vendor relations, and third-party dealings. The aviation group also said it maintains a publicly accessible whistleblowing platform, providing a safe and confidential channel for reporting any suspected misconduct. "Within the organisation, the group business integrity unit currently has two certified integrity officers (CeIOs), with plans to certify more personnel across departments to ensure the ABMS is sustained and embedded throughout the group," it said. MAG said it plans to gradually extend the certification to cover additional business pillars and entities, aiming to build a business ecosystem rooted in integrity and ethical practices at every level. Its group managing director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail said a strong anti-bribery system needs to be led from the highest level of leadership. "This certification is not just a formality, it is a firm declaration of our zero-tolerance stance against bribery, fraud, and corruption. "ISO 37001 reinforces the controls we have built into every part of our operations, from procurement and policymaking to how we engage with partners, be it in Malaysia or our international offices," he said. Izham stated that the certification is a clear reflection of MAG's dedication to upholding the highest standards of integrity and its responsibility in swiftly addressing any breaches of compliance. He said trust and good governance are essential and not optional as they form the backbone of a sustainable aviation industry, and this achievement reinforces MAG's leadership in that area.
Morocco World
20-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
ONCF Awarded ISO 37001 Anti-Bribery Certification for All Operations
Rabat – Morocco's National Railways Office (ONCF) has announced receiving the ISO 37001 certification for its Anti-Bribery Management System. The certificate was granted on March 3 and covers all ONCF activities and work sites across the country, the company said in a press release. It added that the Moroccan Institute for Standardization (IMANOR) issued the certification after a thorough audit carried out between January 27 and 29 this year. The ISO 37001 Anti-Bribery Certification is an internationally recognized standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to help organizations prevent, detect, and address bribery. It was published in 2016 to provide a framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving an anti-bribery management system (ABMS). ONCF says this recognition reflects its strong commitment to ethics, transparency, and responsible governance. By obtaining the ISO 37001 certificate, ONCF says it aims to build a workplace culture based on integrity and the prevention of bribery risks, following the best international practices. The anti-bribery system features a defined policy that aligns with international standards. It includes a comprehensive framework for preventing and managing bribery risks, a system for identifying and handling conflicts of interest, continuous training and awareness programs for employees, and a secure whistleblowing mechanism that promotes transparency and accountability across the organization. ONCF also stated that it has carefully identified, analyzed, and addressed all bribery-related risks as part of its continuous improvement strategy. This certification reflects the collaborative efforts and strong mobilization of its teams, the company noted, concluding that it marks an important milestone in reinforcing good governance and a strong ethical foundation within the organization.
