INTRODUCTION FOR CONFLICT OF INTEREST AWARENESS TRAINING

Conflicts of interest (COI) are among the most common and misunderstood integrity risks in the property and construction sector. They expose organisations to bribery, collusion, and reputational damage.

This one-day awareness training equips  employees and managers with the ability to recognise, disclose, and manage COI situations before they escalate.

The focus is on practical decision-making, clear reporting channels, and sector-specific examples relevant to land development, joint ventures, and procurement.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

1. Define actual, potential, and perceived conflicts of interest.
2. Identify common COI risks in property, construction, and procurement.
3. Apply a structured decision framework to assess and disclose conflicts.
4. Use practical tools: COI disclosure form, decision tree, and gifts matrix.
5. Understand  expected standards and escalation channels.
6. Commit to transparent, ethical conduct in professional dealings.

COURSE OUTLINE

Module 1: Understanding Conflict of Interest

1.1 Definition and types of conflict (actual, potential, perceived)

1.2 Why COI matters: reputation, legal, and operational impact

1.3 Key Malaysian references

• Companies Act 2016 (Sections 218–222)
• Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 (Section 23 – Abuse of Office)
• Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance 2021

1.4 Organisational responsibility and individual accountability

Module 2: Identifying Conflict of Interest Risks

2.1 Common COI sources in business

• Procurement and tender committees
• JV partnerships and land acquisitions
• Vendor, agent, and consultant relationships
• Gifts, hospitality, and entertainment

2.2 Red-flag indicators and warning signs

2.3 Perceived vs actual conflicts

2.4 Interactive exercise: “Spot the conflict” scenario review

Module 3: Managing and Disclosing Conflicts

3.1 The disclosure principle: when, how, and to whom

3.2 Applying the COI decision tree

• Step 1: Identify interest
• Step 2: Assess influence
• Step 3: Decide to disclose, manage, or recuse

3.3 Managing disclosed conflicts

• Restrictions and recusal
• Documenting and monitoring
  

3.4 Practical tools walkthrough

• COI disclosure form
• Conflict register
• Gifts and hospitality matrix
  

3.5 Exercise: Drafting a COI disclosure form

Module 4: Sector-Specific Case Studies

4.1 Construction tender scenario: committee member with family ties to bidder

4.2 Joint venture land deal: director’s interest in partner company

4.3 Supplier engagement: agent offering hospitality during variation order

4.4 Interactive group analysis: applying decision tree and disclosure tools

Module 5: Embedding Integrity Culture

5.1 Tone from the top and organisational values

5.2 Employee responsibility to declare and discuss concerns

5.3 Managing perceived conflicts and transparency norms

5.4 Post-training commitments: registering interests, using the tools

5.5 Discussion: moving from awareness to accountability