In accordance with the requirements of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad's Main Market Listing Requirements and the Company's Sustainability Framework, AEON Credit Service (M) Berhad appears to pursue the concepts of governance and transparency in its business operations. The COVID-19 pandemic emphasises the importance of taking swift action to mitigate the severe health and economic consequences for vulnerable groups and to pave the way for a long-term economic recovery. Consumers' requirements are understood by AEON Credit, which seeks to support them by offering responsible finance that incorporates not only elements from economic sources and governance aspects, but also a beneficial social impact for the customers.

FTSE4Good Statement

As stated in the Company's Anti-Bribery Policy, AEON Credit is committed to ensuring that our Company meets its legal requirements, recognises and eliminates corrupt activities, and collaborates to reduce bribery and corruption chances. Active and successful actions have discovered zero (0) occurrences of corruption and bribery in the past year, involving zero (0) costs of fines, penalties, and settlements related to corruption in year 21/22.

It is the responsibility of management at all levels to ensure that staff are aware of and understand this policy, as well as to provide adequate and frequent training. (Refer Annual Report page 64).

AEON Credit too has a policy opposing political contributions and has made zero (0) political contributions in the current fiscal year.

Strong corporate governance in the Company results in better strategic planning, risk management, and standards. In its annual report for the Financial Year End 2021, AEON Credit implements the COSO risk management standard, as well as the full adoption of Integrated Reporting (Integrated Annual Report will be published in the website on May 2022). The term "corporate governance" refers to a system for managing enterprises or organisations. As compliance demands certification to conduct a certain activity, it aids AEON Credit in meeting its goals and objectives because non-compliance expenses do not cause delays in our operations.

As at December 2020, AEON Credit reported zero (0) cases of non-compliance and 70 cases of incidents that has been successfully rectified. In an attempt to suppress non-compliance, AEONCR have compulsory annual briefing for Code of Conduct (CoC) to all staff. Initiative such as annual review and e-Learning were prepared every year to identify the effectiveness of CoC.

With the transition into the endemic phase, employees may need to travel more, from daily commutes to and from work to activities outside of office hours such as business meetings and training sessions. AEON Credit ensure that while the situation would soon be deemed secure enough for staff to return to in-person work, Covid-19 should still be treated seriously. Hence, to ensure that employees feel secure coming to work, companies must examine their safety measures for example providing free self-test kit, vaccination leave & workplace sanitization.

Customers' needs are fulfilled by AEON Credit's responsible financing, which incorporates not just aspects from economic sources and governance, but also a social effect component. (Refer Annual Report page 65 – 66).

Other initiatives to protect human rights & community, AEON Credit provides CSR investment, donation and contribution to beneficiaries such as to Children and Communities.

AEON Credit yet to commit to Children's Rights and Business Principles, however, the Company supports children’s right with a focus on education shelter by organizing AEON Sayap Bagimu tablet contribution to students from low income families and a total of RM1,000,000 has been contributed (Refer Annual Report page 77). The Group had also implemented several initiatives in the area of Education by working together with public universities. Scholarship were awarded to students at three (3) public universities namely Universiti Malaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia and Universiti Putra Malaysia and to-date a total of 36 students have been awarded education scholarship with 12 students graduating with honors in FYE2022.

In terms of labour standards, the company treated all types of diversity in the workforce with equal respect and opportunity, but it has yet to adapt sexual orientation as a personal trait and is not committed to any right to freedom of association. Employees who are contractors or temporary personnel have also been given the opportunity to assist in regular business operations. AEON Credit additionally pledges to have a policy or declaration in place that supports the right to a minimum or liveable wage (as stated in internal documents) (Company Handbook).

In support of the employee welfare, benefit and personal development, AEON Credit encourages employee to practice work life balance and the Company had improved training hours improved significantly in FYE2022 with a total 27,892 training hours accumulated for all employees as opposed to 7,137 training hours for FYE2021 as familiarity (Refer Annual Report page 74). The Company also has established whistle-blowing channel (AEON Hotline) for employees to raise concern and issue (Refer AR page 71). Climate change and sustainable development are strongly intertwined. AEON Credit did not miss an opportunity to promote the plan to minimize GHG emissions intensity through responsible consumption, and it continues devoted to its goal to reduce paper and power usage. In FYE23, AEON Credit will engage a consultant from Big 4 company for Sustainability Advisory Services for Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) to establish Sustainability Strategy and Green House Gas (GHG) monitoring.

ACSM Sustainability Policy

The Company’s approach towards sustainability is to think globally, in line with AEON’s mission and vision, through the activities carried out locally. Sustainability initiatives enable the Company to enhance customers’ lifestyle and at the same time maintain its position as a leading non-bank financial service provider in Malaysia.

In upholding the above commitment, AEON Credit Service (M) Berhad will:
- Play an integral part in meeting the needs of the local community for financial services through its business operations, adopting sound governance practices with focus on customer experience and innovation.
- Become more employee-centric by taking care of and developing employees, including fostering culture amongst employees to become better people and community members.
- Implement environmental management initiatives to protect the environment and minimize impact on the environment from its operations.
- Demonstrate how the Company gives back to the local community through activities which contribute to society in line with AEON’s basic principles of pursuing peace, respecting humanity and contributing to local communities, always with the customer’s point of view as its core.

On an annual basis, the Board shall review the Company’s performance, targets and progress towards achieving the long-term sustainability of the business, and ensure consideration of sustainability issues in setting the Company’s strategic direction.

Disclosure of this Policy, measures and actions taken as well as the Company’s progress towards achieving sustainability objectives shall be made in the Sustainability Statement to be included in the Company’s Annual Report.