Latest news with #Lenz
The Star
13-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Our silent guardians of ESG reporting in corporate Malaysia
In Malaysia, internal auditors are already shifting from being rule enforcers to contributors who support ethical decision-making.—Unsplash Sustainability has become a priority in Malaysian boardrooms, and ESG reporting is no longer just a formality. It now serves as a marker of real commitment to responsible business practices. Behind the scenes, internal auditors play an essential part in ensuring that what companies report is accurate and trustworthy. With stricter requirements from Bursa Malaysia and Bank Negara Malaysia, internal auditors have taken on expanded responsibilities. Their work strengthens transparency, risk oversight and public confidence. Investors and regulators expect more than statements of good intent. ESG disclosures must be backed by reliable data. This is where internal auditors matter most—they examine claims, identify inconsistencies and promote honesty. Recent research by Lenz and Enslin (2025) encourages internal auditors to shift from being rule enforcers to active contributors who support ethical decision-making. That change is already happening in Malaysia. Interviews conducted with internal auditors and senior leaders from listed companies between July 2023 and February 2024 revealed the growing role these professionals play in ESG assurance. Their tasks include setting targets, tracking progress, and confirming the accuracy of reports. Lenz and Jeppesen's 2022 '5Ps' approach—Planet, Public, Profession, Prosperity and People—helps to describe this broader scope of work. Auditors collaborate with management to make sure environmental goals are measurable, realistic and aligned with regulations. They also help prevent greenwashing—the practice of exaggerating or misrepresenting sustainability efforts. However, many auditors are still gaining experience in environmental risk assessment, an area becoming increasingly urgent as Malaysia faces more climate-related events. According to PwC (2020), internal auditors help maintain good governance and ensure compliance with ESG rules. In Malaysia, where standards vary across sectors, they also push for tighter enforcement and more consistent expectations. But these roles come with hurdles. Audit teams in smaller firms often face staffing and budget limitations, making it difficult to focus on ESG work. Others are adjusting to new tools and data systems needed for reliable ESG audits. Training and support in this area must be prioritised. Cybersecurity is another concern. As more business is done online, ESG-related data must be protected. Internal auditors are now expected to assess whether digital systems are secure enough to handle this responsibility. They also work with boards and regulators to encourage accountability. Their ability to raise concerns and provide risk updates supports both financial and sustainability goals. Some confusion still exists between internal and external auditors, especially in ESG matters. It is important to clarify the unique value internal auditors bring: familiarity with internal operations, independence from day-to-day management and strong risk analysis skills. To support their growing roles, companies should invest in ESG-specific training, upgrade their audit tools and clarify reporting standards. Internal audit must be treated as a strategic function, not just a compliance unit. Internal auditors help ensure ESG claims are backed by real action. With the right support, they can strengthen public trust, improve corporate behaviour, and contribute to lasting improvements in how businesses operate. Dr Suhaily Shahimi Department of Accounting senior lecturer Faculty of Business and Economics Universiti Malaya
San Francisco Chronicle
06-05-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Trump's Alcatraz whim is ‘outlandish,' but realism isn't the point, experts say
President Donald Trump's announcement that he plans to reopen Alcatraz, the infamous island prison in San Francisco Bay that federal officials closed in the 1960s because it was too expensive, has been called 'absurd,' 'impractical' and 'not humane.' But Trump's Sunday evening social media post about the idea follows a well-honed strategy that the president has been deploying for years. He makes outlandish claims and goads the media into writing stories debunking or criticizing them, which focuses the national conversation around his preferred topics. 'He picks outlandish topics that he thinks will be popular with the general public, but unpopular with Democrats and maybe the educated Democratic elites, in the hopes that they criticize it,' said Gabriel Lenz, a political science professor at UC Berkeley. 'That keeps an idea, an issue, a topic where he thinks he has an advantage in the news.' Crime is a good example, Lenz said, pointing to polling that has shown public support growing for 'tough on crime' policies. Locking people in the prison that once housed notorious mob boss Al Capone certainly sounds tough, even if the actual work and expense needed to make that idea a reality is far-fetched. It's similar to Trump's false story that Haitian immigrants were eating people's pets. The story was quickly easily debunked, but Lenz noted that it didn't matter — the story didn't hurt Trump in the polls and kept immigration in the news. Longtime Trump adviser Steve Bannon calls this strategy 'flood the zone.' It's how Trump grows his popularity among everyday Americans, Bannon says. 'They love this kind of days of thunder, every day flood the zone,' Bannon told Gov. Gavin Newsom in March on an episode of Newsom's podcast. 'He has a visceral connection with working-class people that people in politics haven't had in generations.' Right now, keeping the focus on Alcatraz could help Trump by distracting from rising prices and falling economic indicators in the wake of his decision to impose massive tariffs on most other countries. 'Elites will criticize him, keep that in the news, and all the signs of recession will fall out of the news for a few days,' Lenz said. 'That's been a well-honed Trump strategy Democrats keep falling for.' Cathy Abernathy, a Republican strategist based in Bakersfield, said she thinks Americans agree with Trump's tough-on-crime rhetoric. She said she views Trump's post on Alcatraz as just a suggestion at this point. 'I don't know that we need to get caught up on what other people think it would cost,' she said of some of the criticism. 'It seems premature to shoot it down.' Mike Madrid, a California-based Republican strategist and longtime Trump critic, said the goal of the Alcatraz announcement is less grounded in practicality and more on the symbolism of appearing tough on crime and embracing a 'strongman' style of governance. 'The goal here is to harken back to a time of more barbaric practices for criminals,' Madrid said. 'It's law-and-order imagery.' The episode is also indicative of Trump's erratic, shoot-from-the-hip style, Madrid said. He pushed back on the idea that the Alcatraz announcement is part of a disciplined messaging strategy. 'That's giving him far far too much credit,' Madrid said. Newsom has said he is trying to avoid being distracted by Trump's constant outlandish announcements and instead focusing on what actually matters. The difference between an important issue and a distraction is often subjective, however, and Newsom recently sparked intense criticism from other Democrats for suggesting that Trump's efforts to deport people to El Salvador without due process were a 'distraction.' 'Looks like it's distraction day again in Washington, D.C.'
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Palisades Fire victims hold first community event since deadly blaze
The Brief Palisades Fire victims held a community event in Santa Monica on Saturday — their first since the fire. Los Angeles Mayor Bass says that compared to other California wildfires, recovery and rebuilding after the Palisades Fire is ahead of schedule. Some residents haven't gotten rebuilding permits yet, and say they're anxious to get home. LOS ANGELES - Residents from Pacific Palisades gathered in Santa Monica Saturday afternoon for the first community event since January's deadly Palisades Fire. Local perspective "We're all spread out all over the city," said Brian Lenz. "It's just nice to see everybody together a little bit. Try to remember what the community was like." Lenz was there with his old neighbor, Steve Shannon. Both Lenz and Shannon had their homes destroyed by the out-of-control blaze. "It's a pretty s--- club to be part of," said Lenz. "As a group, we're all just trying to figure out the right way forward." "I haven't hit the part of submitting a permit yet," said Shannon. "Going to do that now, but that will be the part where I find out if the city has it together or not." What they're saying Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was at the event meeting and hearing from residents. "We say, permits, and we want them expedited," said Bass. "But tell us how it's going. I'm hearing positive, and I'm hearing negative. That's helpful. That's the way we improve." Now, more than 100 days since the fire, the massive clean-up continues. Compared to other fires in California history, Mayor Bass says they're ahead of schedule. "Frankly, the reason why we finished phase 1 and phase 2 so fast is because of the White House," said Bass. "The commitment made by the administration. I feel like every level of government is doing the very best they can." "[There's] a lot of concerns and uncertainty about the financial pathways," said Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park. "My mission is to move every mountain so we can get these folks home." Big picture view Saturday was a bittersweet day for some residents who hadn't seen some of their friends since the Palisades Fire. "It's just really sad," said Genevieve Vostic. "But it's also really nice to see the community come together." Residents, going through so much in the rebuild, are anxious to return to the community they call home. "We see a lot of familiar things [here] even though it's not in a familiar place," said Vostic. "It will come back one day." The Source Information in this story is from interviews with Pacific Palisades residents, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park, all at Saturday's event in Santa Monica.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Yahoo
Woman's boyfriend arrested in connection with her 1989 disappearance
The former boyfriend of an Iowa woman who vanished 36 years ago has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in her disappearance, officials said Tuesday. Robert Davis, who is now 61 and lives in Council Bluffs, Iowa, was arrested Monday in the case of Barbara Lenz, 31, who was last seen on May 6, 1989, the Iowa Department of Justice said in a news release. Davis, who was Lenz' boyfriend at the time, reported dropping her off at her apartment in Woodbine, Iowa, that day. Lenz was then expected to visit her former boyfriend and the father of her 3-year-old child in Omaha, Nebraska, but she didn't show up, according to the release. Lenz's family contacted the Woodbine Police Department on May 17. Police and family members entered Lenz's apartment and found her pets had not been cared for "in some time," according to a criminal complaint. Her personal effects, including her purse and wallet, were in the home. There were no signs of a struggle. Police determined that Davis was the last person to have seen Lenz alive, according to the complaint. He told investigators Lenz had called him from Omaha to say she was with her daughter, but police determined she never arrived there. During the course of the investigation, police found that Lenz had told several people she feared Davis, the complaint said. Shortly before her disappearance, Lenz told at least two people that Davis said he would kill her if she left him, according to the complaint. Lenz was also allegedly assaulted by Davis "on several known occasions" during their two-year relationship, according to the complaint, including incidents during which she was allegedly strangled until she fell unconscious. There was also an incident where Davis allegedly hit Lenz's daughter at a restaurant in front of Lenz and other witnesses. Davis admitted these incidents to police, the complaint said. Davis told police he did not like Lenz going to Nebraska to see her daughter and ex-boyfriend, the complaint said, and several fights and assaults by Davis allegedly followed her visits. Davis said they had argued before her May 6 visit, according to the complaint. There were witnesses to the argument. One witness said Davis injured Lenz by slashing her across the cheek with a sharp object. Another witness reported seeing Lenz and Davis leaving the apartment complex together. One witness told investigators that Davis' brother showed them a spot in a rural area where he and Davis had buried something wrapped in plastic. The complaint did not say if the area was excavated or what was wrapped in the plastic. Other witnesses told investigators that Davis told them they would "end up like Barbara" after arguments. The statements were made long after Lenz's disappearance, the complaint said. Lenz's body has never been found. Investigators "pursued numerous leads and searches" over the years, to no avail, the Iowa Department of Justice said. In July 2024, the Attorney General's office launched an Iowa Cold Case Unit to investigate unsolved crimes. The unit investigated Lenz's case and "brought fresh eyes and a focused team to dig through information, meet with witnesses, and loosen up leads." That led investigators to Davis. The complaint alleges that because of Davis' behavior and history with Lenz, investigators believe he murdered Lenz "with malice aforethought, wilfully, deliberately, and with premeditation." An attorney was not listed for Davis. "Something I have waited for my whole life" The case will be prosecuted in Harrison County, the Iowa Department of Justice said. Davis is being held without bond in the Harrison County Jail, CBS News affiliate KCCI reported. Lenz's daughter, Lindsy Baumgart, told KCCI that Davis' arrest is "surreal" and that she is "grateful" for the investigation. "I never thought this day would come," she told KCCI. "It's honestly something that I have waited for my whole life." Baumgart told KCCI she hopes investigators can find her mother's remains. "Justice for me would be bringing my mama home," she said. Judge blocks deportation of pro-Palestinian activist who helped lead Columbia University protests House's short-term spending bill heads to Senate, passage needed by Friday to avoid shutdown What led up to Ukraine's willingness to accept 30-day ceasefire
CBS News
12-03-2025
- CBS News
36 years after an Iowa mother vanished, her boyfriend at the time is arrested
The former boyfriend of an Iowa woman who vanished 36 years ago has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in her disappearance, officials said Tuesday. Robert Davis, who is now 61 and lives in Council Bluffs, Iowa, was arrested Monday in the case of Barbara Lenz, 31, who was last seen on May 6, 1989, the Iowa Department of Justice said in a news release. Davis, who was Lenz' boyfriend at the time, reported dropping her off at her apartment in Woodbine, Iowa, that day. Lenz was then expected to visit her former boyfriend and the father of her 3-year-old child in Omaha, Nebraska, but she didn't show up, according to the release. Lenz's family contacted the Woodbine Police Department on May 17. Police and family members entered Lenz's apartment and found her pets had not been cared for "in some time," according to a criminal complaint. Her personal effects, including her purse and wallet, were in the home. There were no signs of a struggle. Police determined that Davis was the last person to have seen Lenz alive, according to the complaint. He told investigators Lenz had called him from Omaha to say she was with her daughter, but police determined she never arrived there. During the course of the investigation, police found that Lenz had told several people she feared Davis, the complaint said. Shortly before her disappearance, Lenz told at least two people that Davis said he would kill her if she left him, according to the complaint. Lenz was also allegedly assaulted by Davis "on several known occasions" during their two-year relationship, according to the complaint, including incidents during which she was allegedly strangled until she fell unconscious. There was also an incident where Davis allegedly hit Lenz's daughter at a restaurant in front of Lenz and other witnesses. Davis admitted these incidents to police, the complaint said. Davis told police he did not like Lenz going to Nebraska to see her daughter and ex-boyfriend, the complaint said, and several fights and assaults by Davis allegedly followed her visits. Davis said they had argued before her May 6 visit, according to the complaint. There were witnesses to the argument. One witness said Davis injured Lenz by slashing her across the cheek with a sharp object. Another witness reported seeing Lenz and Davis leaving the apartment complex together. One witness told investigators that Davis' brother showed them a spot in a rural area where he and Davis had buried something wrapped in plastic. The complaint did not say if the area was excavated or what was wrapped in the plastic. Other witnesses told investigators that Davis told them they would "end up like Barbara" after arguments. The statements were made long after Lenz's disappearance, the complaint said. Lenz's body has never been found. Investigators "pursued numerous leads and searches" over the years, to no avail, the Iowa Department of Justice said. In July 2024, the Attorney General's office launched an Iowa Cold Case Unit to investigate unsolved crimes. The unit investigated Lenz's case and "brought fresh eyes and a focused team to dig through information, meet with witnesses, and loosen up leads." That led investigators to Davis. The complaint alleges that because of Davis' behavior and history with Lenz, investigators believe he murdered Lenz "with malice aforethought, wilfully, deliberately, and with premeditation." An attorney was not listed for Davis. "Something I have waited for my whole life" The case will be prosecuted in Harrison County, the Iowa Department of Justice said. Davis is being held without bond in the Harrison County Jail, CBS News affiliate KCCI reported. Lenz's daughter, Lindsy Baumgart, told KCCI that Davis' arrest is "surreal" and that she is "grateful" for the investigation. "I never thought this day would come," she told KCCI. "It's honestly something that I have waited for my whole life." Baumgart told KCCI she hopes investigators can find her mother's remains. "Justice for me would be bringing my mama home," she said.
