Corporate Governance
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Board Charter

OVERVIEW

The Board of Directors (“Board”) of NCT Alliance Berhad (formerly known as Grand-Flo Berhad) (“the Company”) is fully committed towards ensuring good corporate governance practices are implemented and maintained throughout the Company and its subsidiaries (“the Group”) as a fundamental part of discharging its duties to enhance shareholders’ values consistent with the principles and best practices as set out in the Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance (“the Code”). The Board supports the highest standards of corporate governance and the development of best practices for the Group.

The Board collectively leads and is responsible for the performance and affairs of the Group, including practicing a high level of good governance. All Board members are expected to show good stewardship and act in a professional manner, as well as upholding the core values of integrity and enterprise with due regard to their fiduciary duties and responsibilities.

This Board Charter sets out the composition and balance, roles and responsibilities, operation and processes of the Board and is to ensure that all Board Members acting on behalf of the Company are aware of their duties and responsibilities as Board Members.

1. COMPOSITION AND BALANCE OF THE BOARD

1.1 Size and Composition

The strength of the Board lies in the composition of its members, who has a wide range of expertise, extensive experience and diverse background in business, finance and technical knowledge. The Board retains full and effective control over the Group and ensures the Group moves towards its strategic direction in establishing goals and ultimately the enhancement of long-term shareholders’ value.

The Constitution of the Company provides for a minimum of two (2) Directors. At any one time, at least two (2) or one-third (1/3) of the Board of Directors, whichever is higher, are Independent Directors.

The Board also takes cognisant of the best practices recommended under the Code to have at least half of the Board composed of Independent Directors in order to foster greater objectivity in the boardroom in accordance to the good corporate governance practices.

The composition and size of the Board are reviewed from time to time to ensure its appropriateness.

1.2 Nomination and Appointments

The members of the Board are appointed in a formal and transparent practice as endorsed by the Code. The Nomination and Remuneration Committee will make recommendations to the Board who will thereon assess the shortlisted candidates and arrive at a decision on the appointment of the Director. The Company Secretary will ensure that all appointments are properly made and that all legal and regulatory obligations are satisfied and complied with.

Appointment of Directors is based on objective criteria, merit and with due regard for diversity in skills, experience, age, cultural background and gender. The Board may utilise independent sources to identify a suitably qualified candidate.

All Board members shall notify the Chairman of the Board before accepting any new Directorship in other companies. The notification shall include an indication of the time that will be spent on the new appointment. The Chairman shall also notify the Board if he has any new directorship or significant commitments outside the Company.

1.3 Re-election

In accordance with the Company’s Constitution, all Directors appointed by the Board are subject to re-election by the shareholders at the annual general meeting following their appointment. At least one third (1/3) of the Directors, or if their number is not three or a multiple of three, then the number nearest to one-third (1/3) are required to retire from office by rotation annually and shall be eligible for re-election at each annual general meeting.

1.4 Independence

The presence of Independent Non-Executive Directors ensures that views, consideration, judgment and discretion exercised by the Board in decision-making remains objective and independent whilst assuring the interests of other parties such as minority shareholders are fully addressed and adequately protected as well as being accorded with due consideration.

The Board shall appoint a Senior Independent Director who will also attend to any query or concern raised by shareholders.

1.5 Tenure of Independent Director

The tenure of an Independent Director shall not exceed a cumulative term of nine (9) years. However, upon completion of the nine (9) years, the Independent Director may continue to serve the Board subject to the Director’s re-designation as a NonIndependent Director. In the event the Director is to remain designated as an Independent Director, the Board shall first justify and obtain shareholders’ approval on a year-to-year basis. through a two-tier voting process.

1.6 Evaluation of the Directors and the Board’s as a whole

The Board recognizes the importance of assessing the effectiveness of individual Directors, the Board as a whole and its Committees as a whole. The Nomination and Remuneration Committee is given the task to review and evaluate the individual Director’s performance and the effectiveness of the Board and the Board’s Committees on an annual basis. In assessing the suitability of candidates, considerations will be given to the competencies, commitment, contribution and performance of the Board and the relevant Board Committees.

The Nomination and Remuneration Committee is required to report annually to the Board an assessment of the Board’s and its Committees’ performance. This will be discussed with the full Board. Every year, the Nomination and Remuneration Committee will evaluate each individual Director’s contributions to the effectiveness of the Board and the relevant Board Committees.

2. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

2.1 Board Responsibilities

The Executive Chairman/Group Managing Director, Group Executive Director and Executive Directors (“ED”) together with management have the responsibility to manage the day-to-day operations of the business, implementation of Board policies and making strategic decisions for the expansion of the business. The Non-Executive Directors contribute their expertise and experiences to give independent judgment to the Board on issues of strategy, performance and resources, including major policies, key directions and standards of conduct. The Independent Directors provide guidance, unbiased, fully balanced and independent views, advice and judgment to many aspects of the Company’s strategy so as to safeguard the interests of minority shareholders and to ensure that higher standards of conduct and integrity are maintained by the Group.

No individual or group of individuals dominates the Board’s decision-making. Together, the Directors possess a wide range of business, commercial and financial knowledge, expertise and skills essential in the management and direction of a corporation with a regional presence.

The stewardship responsibilities and duties of the Board focuses principally on strategies, financial performance and critical business decisions that may include the following: -
i.    Overseeing and evaluating the conduct, governance and sustainability of the businesses of the Group.
ii.   Reviewing and adopting the overall strategic direction, business plans, annual budgets of the Group, including major capital commitments.
iii.  Establishing key performance indicators and ensuring that senior management has the necessary skills and experience for the orderly succession of the board and senior management.
iv.  Reviewing and approving of new ventures, major acquisitions and disposal of undertakings and properties.
v.   Identifying principal risks and ensuring implementation of appropriate systems to manage and monitor significant financial and non-financial risks.
vi.  Reviewing the adequacy and integrity of the Group’s internal control systems, risk management and management information systems.
vii. Overseeing the development and implementation of the shareholder communications policy for the Company.

The Directors are required to declare their direct and indirect interests in the Company and related companies. The Directors are also responsible to declare whether they and/or any person(s) connected to them have any potential conflict of interest in any transaction and/or in any contract with the Company and/or any of its related companies. Any Director who has an interest in any related party transaction shall abstain from the Board deliberation and voting and shall ensure that he or she and person(s) connected to him or her will abstain from voting on the related resolution.

2.1.2 Matters Reserved for the Board

In discharging its responsibilities, the Board has reserved decision making responsibility for certain key matters to ensure the control of the Company is vested with its. A schedule of Matters Reserved for the Board has been adopted and shall be reviewed and revised from time to time as necessary, as follows:-
– Annual budgets;
– Changes to the Management and Control Structure, including key policies and delegated authority limits;
– New business and ventures;
– Material acquisitions and disposals;
– Business Plans;
– Investments and divestments; and
– Corporate restructuring

2.2 Accountability and Audit
i. Financial Reporting

The Board aims to present a balanced and clear assessment of the Group’s position and prospect to the Company’s shareholders through the annual financial statements and quarterly unaudited results.

The Board considers that in preparing the financial statements, the Group has used appropriate accounting policies, consistently applied and supported by reasonable and prudent judgments and estimates. All accounting standards which the Board considers to be applicable have been followed, subject to any explanations and material departures disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. The Audit Committee assists the Board in scrutinising information for disclosure to ensure accuracy, adequacy and completeness.

ii. Internal Control and Risk Management

The Board acknowledges their responsibility in maintaining an internal control system that provides reasonable assurance of effective and efficient operations, and compliance with laws and regulations as well as internal procedures and guidelines.

Risk management forms an integral part of the Group’s business operations. The process of identifying, evaluating, monitoring and managing significant risks is embedded in the various work processes and procedures of the respective operational functions and management team. Any significant issues and controls implemented were discussed at the regular operations and management meetings

Management is responsible for implementing the processes for identifying, evaluating, monitoring and reporting of risks and internal control, taking appropriate and timely corrective actions as needed, and for providing assurance to the board that the processes have been carried out.

The Audit Committee has been entrusted by the Board to ensure the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control systems. The activities of the outsourced Internal Auditors are reported regularly to the Audit Committee which provides the Board with the required assurance in relation to the adequacy and integrity of the Group’s system of internal controls.

Recognizing that the internal control system must continuously improve to meet the challenging business environment, the Board will continue to take appropriate action plans to strengthen the Group’s internal control system.

The Company outsourced its internal audit function to an independent professional firm to help the Company to accomplish its goals by bringing an objective and disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, internal control, anti-corruption, whistle-blowing and governance processes.

iii. Relationship with Auditors

The Board has always maintained a formal and transparent arrangement with its internal auditors and external auditors in seeking professional advice on matters relating to compliance and corporate governance.

The internal audit function of the Group is outsourced to a third party. Similar to the External Auditors, Internal Auditors also have direct reporting access to the Board and the Audit Committee to ensure that issues highlighted are addressed independently, objectively and impartially without any undue influence of the management.

2.3 Responsibilities of the Chairman and Group Managing Director (“GMD”)

The Board ensures that the Chairman is a non-executive member of the Board. There is a clear division of responsibility between GMD and the Chairman in order to provide for a balance of power and authority. The former leads the management of the Company and has overall responsibility for the operating units and the implementation of the Board’s policies and decisions, whilst the latter is responsible for the orderly conduct and effectiveness of the Board in addition to facilitating constructive deliberation of matters in hand.

The responsibilities of the Chairman, amongst others, are as follows:

i. To provide leadership to the Board.
ii. To examine the public image of the organization and establish plans and programme to improve the Group in every way.
iii. To oversee ethical business practices and adherence to the Group’s mission statement.
iv. To oversee the effective discharge of the Board’s supervisory role.
v. To facilitate the effective contribution of all Directors.
vi. To conduct and chair Board Meetings and General Meetings of the Company.
vii. To manage Board communications and Board effectiveness and effective supervision over Management.
viii. To ensure that quality information to facilitate decision-making is delivered to the Board in a timely manner.
ix. To ensure Board Meetings and General Meetings comply with good conduct and best practices.
x. To promote constructive and respectful relations among Board members and between the Board and the Management.
xi. Together with the GMD, represents the Company and/or Group to external groups such as shareholders, creditors, consumer groups, local communities and federal, state, and local governments.
xiii. To ensure adequate time is allocated during Board Meetings for discussion of issues tabled to the Board for deliberation.

The responsibilities of the GMD, amongst others, are as follows:

i. To develop and recommend to the Board, the strategic business direction, plans and policies of the Group that leads to the creation of shareholder value.
ii. To develop and recommend to the Board the operational plan and annual budget that support the Company or the Group’s long-term strategy.
iii. To ensure the efficient and effective operation of the Group.
iv. To manage the overall business and oversees the day-to-day management of the Group with all powers, discretions and delegations authorised, from time to time, by the Board.
v. To ensures continuous improvement in the quality and value of the products and services provided by the Group.
vi. To ensure that the Company or the Group achieves and maintains a satisfactory competitive position within its industry.
vii. To formulate and oversee the implementation of major corporate policies.
viii. To report to the Board periodically on the financial positions of the Group which include forecast results as required from time to time.
ix. To reports to the Board on key performance indicators in relation to the financial results, market conditions and other developments.
x. To be responsible for the financial management of the Company and/or Group and overseeing the handling of financial matters which include keeping proper accounts for prudent and economical administration, avoidance of waste and extravagance for efficient and effective use of all the resources.
xi. To serve as the chief spokesperson for the Group.
xii. To bring material matters to the attention of the Board in an accurate and timely manner.

2.4 Board Committees

The Board may from time to time establish Committees as is considered appropriate to assist in carrying out its duties and responsibilities. The Board delegates certain functions to the following Committees to assist in the execution of its responsibilities.

i. Audit Committee
ii. Nomination and Remuneration Committee

The role of the Board Committees is to advise and make recommendations to the Board. The Chairman of various Committees provides a verbal report on the outcome of their Committee meetings to the Board, and any further deliberation is made at the Board level, if required.

Each Committee operates in accordance with written terms of reference approved by the Board. The Board appoints the members and Chairman of each Committee.

2.4 Company Secretary

The Board appoints the Company Secretary, who plays an important advisory role, and ensures that the Company Secretary fulfils the functions for which he/she has been appointed.

The Company Secretary is a central source of information and advice to the Board and its Committees on issues relating to compliance with laws, rules, procedures and regulations affecting the Company.

The appointment and removal of the Company Secretary is a matter for the Board as a whole. The Board recognizes the fact that the Company Secretary should be suitable qualified and capable of carrying out the duties required.

All Board Members, particularly the Chairman, have unrestricted access to the advice and services of the Company Secretary for the purposes of the Board’s affairs and the business.

2.5 Company Secretary

The Board appoints the Company Secretary, who plays an important advisory role, and ensures that the Company Secretary fulfils the functions for which he/she has been appointed.

The Company Secretary is a central source of information and advice to the Board and its Committees on issues relating to compliance with laws, rules, procedures and regulations affecting the Company.

The appointment and removal of the Company Secretary is a matter for the Board as a whole. The Board recognizes the fact that the Company Secretary should be suitably qualified and capable of carrying out the duties required.

All Board Members, particularly the Chairman, have unrestricted access to the advice and services of the Company Secretary for the purposes of the Board’s affairs and the business.

3. BOARD PROCESSES

3.1 Board Meetings

The Board meets at least four (4) times a year, with additional meetings to be convened whenever necessary. The Directors receive notices of meetings, typically at least five (5) business days prior to the date of the meeting, highlighting the agenda complete with a full set of Board Papers to provide sufficient details of matters to be deliberated during the meeting. Information provided is not confined to financial data but also other non-financial information, both quantitative and qualitative, which is deemed to be critical in arriving at a sound and informed decision. Where necessary, senior management and/or external professionals may be invited to attend these meetings to clarify and/or explain matters being tabled.

The Board meetings may be held by fully virtual or hybrid at more than one venue using any technology or method to allow the Directors to participate, speak and vote at the meetings.

Minutes of Board meetings together with decisions made by way of a resolution passed are duly recorded and properly kept by the Company Secretary.

3.2 Directors’ Training

In addition to the Mandatory Accreditation Programme as required by Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad, the Directors are encouraged to attend relevant seminars and training programmes to equip themselves with the knowledge to effectively discharge their duties as Directors. The Board will assess the training needs of the Directors and ensure Directors have access to a continuing education programme. The Board shall disclose in the Annual Report the trainings attended by the Directors.

3.3 Directors’ Remuneration

The Board through Nomination and Remuneration Committee established formal and transparent Remuneration Policy. The Nomination and Remuneration Committee has written Terms of Reference which details its authority and duties and the Terms of Reference is published on the Company’s website.

The Directors’ remuneration is determined in accordance to the performance and their capability to the Company. The Board recognises that levels of remuneration must be sufficient to attract, retain and motivate the directors of the quality required to manage the business of the Company and to align the interest of the Directors with those of the shareholders.

The Board will determine the level of remuneration of Board Members, taking into consideration the recommendations of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee for executive Board Members and/or the GMD. The remuneration of the GMD and Executive Directors are structured on basis of linking rewards to corporate and individual performance. None of the Executive Directors participated in determining their remuneration.

Non-Executive Directors will be paid a basic fee as ordinary remuneration and will be paid a sum based on their responsibilities in committees and the Board, their attendance and/or special skills and expertise they bring to the Board. The fee shall be fixed in sum and not by a commission on or percentage of profits or turnover.

The Remuneration Policy sets out the remuneration for the Board and the Nomination and Remuneration Committee to determine the remuneration of Directors and/or senior management of the Company, which takes into account the demands, complexities and performance of the Company as well as skills and experience required. The Remuneration Policy will be periodically reviewed by the Board and is published on the Company’s website.

3.4 Access to Information and Independent Advice

The Board has full and unrestricted access to all of the Group’s information whether as a full board or in their individual capacity to enable them to discharge their duties to their full capacity pertaining to the Group’s affairs and business.

External professional advisors, consultants and company secretary are made available to render their independent views and advice to the Board.

3.5 Investor Relations and Shareholder Communication

The Group values dialogue with investors as a means of effective communication that enables the Board to convey information about the Group’s performance, corporate strategy and other matters affecting shareholders’ interests. Investors and shareholders can also obtain information on the Group through the Company’s published Annual Reports, Quarterly Results and Announcements which are made to Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad.

The Annual General Meeting also provides an opportunity for shareholders to seek clarifications and to raise questions concerning the Group. The Chairman and the Board members are in attendance to respond to shareholders’ queries.

The Company recognizes the importance of accountability to shareholders and effective communication between the Company and investors. The Company has established its own website at www.nctalliance.com which contains vital information concerning the Group.

The Board must ensure that the conduct of a virtual general meeting (fully virtual or hybrid) supports meaningful engagement between the Board, senior management and shareholders. This includes having in place the required infrastructure and tools to support among others, a smooth broadcast of the general meeting and interactive participation by shareholders. This provides the opportunity for shareholders to have real-time interaction with the board and senior management, including responses to any questions or remarks posted.

4. ANTI-BRIBERY AND ANTI-CORRUPTION POLICY

The Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy applies to all employees (whether temporary, contractual or permanent), Directors and Business Associates of the Group. They are expected to carry out their duties with the utmost integrity, grounded on sound moral and ethical principles.

The Board will review the Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy periodically to ensure its effectiveness and consistency with the governing legislation and regulatory requirements. This Policy is published on the Company’s website.

5. WHISTLE BLOWING POLICY

The Whistle Blowing Policy serves to provide an avenue for all employees of the Group and members of the public to raise concerns or disclose any improper conduct within the Group and to take appropriate action to resolve them effectively.

The Board will review the Whistle Blowing Policy periodically and it is published on the Company’s website.

6. REVIEW OF THE BOARD CHARTER

The Board will review this Charter from time to time and make any necessary amendments to ensure they remain consistent with the Board’s objectives, current law and practices. The Board Charter is made available for reference on the Company’s website.

This Board Charter was reviewed and updated by the Board of the Company on 7 September 2021.