Anti-Bribery & Anti-Corruption Policy (ABAC)

Purpose

Planters International Berhad ("Planters") is committed to conducting all business with integrity, honesty, fairness, and transparency.

The Company adopts a zero-tolerance approach towards bribery, corruption, improper influence, facilitation payments, and all forms of unethical business conduct.

This Policy establishes the principles and expectations that guide all individuals representing Planters in conducting business ethically and in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws and recognised good governance practices.

Scope

This Policy applies to:

  • Members of the Board of Directors

  • Employees

  • Probationary employees

  • Interns and trainees

  • Consultants

  • Contractors

  • Suppliers

  • Agents

  • Representatives

  • Joint venture partners where applicable

  • Any individual acting on behalf of Planters

All persons covered under this Policy are expected to comply with its requirements regardless of their role or location.

Policy Statement

Planters prohibits any form of bribery or corruption, whether direct or indirect.

No individual acting on behalf of the Company shall:

  • Offer a bribe.

  • Promise a bribe.

  • Give a bribe.

  • Request a bribe.

  • Solicit a bribe.

  • Accept a bribe.

  • Authorise another person to engage in bribery.

  • Use intermediaries to facilitate corrupt conduct.

The Company expects all business decisions to be based solely on merit, fairness, transparency, and legitimate commercial considerations.

What Constitutes a Bribe

A bribe may include anything of value intended to improperly influence a decision.

Examples include:

  • Cash

  • Gifts

  • Entertainment

  • Hospitality

  • Travel

  • Employment opportunities

  • Loans

  • Discounts

  • Commissions

  • Political donations

  • Charitable contributions intended to influence decisions

  • Personal favours

  • Services

  • Valuable information

Bribery may occur before, during, or after a business decision.

Facilitation Payments

Planters prohibits facilitation payments.

Facilitation payments are unofficial payments made to expedite or secure routine government or administrative actions.

Employees must not make or authorise such payments unless there is an immediate threat to personal safety or where otherwise required by law.

Any such incident must be reported immediately.

Gifts, Hospitality & Business Courtesies

Planters recognises that reasonable business hospitality may form part of legitimate business relationships.

However, gifts or hospitality must never:

  • Influence business decisions.

  • Create an appearance of improper influence.

  • Result in preferential treatment.

  • Be excessive or extravagant.

  • Conflict with applicable laws or regulations.

Gifts and hospitality should always be:

  • Modest

  • Reasonable

  • Infrequent

  • Transparent

  • Appropriate to the business relationship

Cash or cash equivalents must never be offered or accepted.

Government Officials

Interactions with government agencies, regulators, enforcement authorities, public universities, statutory bodies, and government-linked organisations require the highest standards of integrity.

Individuals representing Planters must never provide anything of value intended to improperly influence an official decision or obtain an unfair advantage.

Third Parties

Planters expects suppliers, consultants, contractors, agents, and other business partners to maintain standards consistent with this Policy.

The Company may decline to engage or continue business relationships where there are reasonable concerns regarding unethical conduct or corruption risks.

Political & Charitable Contributions

The Company may support legitimate charitable or community initiatives that align with its corporate objectives.

Such contributions must:

  • Be transparent.

  • Be properly approved.

  • Never be used to obtain improper business advantages.

  • Never be used to disguise bribery.

Political contributions on behalf of the Company may only be made with appropriate Board approval and where permitted by applicable laws.

Books & Records

All financial transactions must be:

  • Accurate

  • Complete

  • Truthful

  • Properly authorised

  • Supported by appropriate documentation

False, misleading, incomplete, or off-the-book records are strictly prohibited.

Conflicts of Interest

Individuals must avoid situations where personal interests could improperly influence business decisions.

Potential conflicts should be disclosed promptly to management.

Further guidance is available in the Company's Code of Conduct.

Reporting Concerns

Anyone who becomes aware of suspected bribery, corruption, unethical conduct, or improper influence is encouraged to report the matter promptly.

Reports will be handled fairly, confidentially, and in accordance with the Company's Whistleblower Policy.

Retaliation against any person making a genuine report in good faith will not be tolerated.

Training & Awareness

Planters is committed to promoting a culture of integrity through periodic communication, awareness initiatives, and appropriate training for employees and relevant stakeholders.

Breaches of this Policy

Violations of this Policy may result in:

  • Disciplinary action

  • Suspension

  • Termination of employment or engagement

  • Termination of business relationships

  • Referral to relevant authorities where appropriate

  • Legal action where applicable

Policy Governance

This Policy forms part of the Corporate Governance Framework of Planters International Berhad.

It shall be reviewed periodically to ensure continued alignment with applicable laws, regulatory developments, and recognised governance practices.

The Company reserves the right to amend or update this Policy from time to time.

Related Policies

This Policy should be read together with the Company's:

  • Corporate Governance Framework

  • Code of Conduct

  • Anti-Money Laundering Policy

  • Whistleblower Policy

  • Supplier Code of Conduct

  • Privacy Policy

Integrity in Environmental & Scientific Partnerships

Planters is committed to ensuring that environmental approvals, research collaborations, grant applications, scientific studies, procurement activities, and stakeholder engagements are conducted ethically and without improper influence. Decisions relating to environmental outcomes, scientific findings, or regulatory processes shall be based on objective evidence, professional judgement, and applicable legal and ethical standards.