Does External Shariah Audit (ESA) Matter? Practitioners' Views from the Islamic Banking Industry

Author(s):  
M R Yasoa ◽  
M N H Yusoff ◽  
S N M Said ◽  
S A Zainuddin ◽  
N A M Nasir ◽  
...  

This paper investigates the possibility and feasibility of the Islamic banking industry in Malaysia to hire external Shariah audit (ESA) services in the audit fraternity as one of the Shariah governance mechanisms to strengthen Shariah compliance in the industry. Methodologically, the study employs a qualitative method by utilizing semi-structured interviews with nine (9) key industry players consists of few Shariah auditors, heads of Shariah audit, Shariah committee, and Chief of Shariah officer. Data gathered from the interviews have been transcribed and analyzed using Atlas.ti. The findings from the interview provide interesting mixed views in the sense that both parties have their justifications to support their arguments based on experience and observation. However, considering the current practices by the Islamic banking industry, it could be inferred that the Malaysian Islamic banking industry is not ready to exercise the ESA practices. The future study may consider other views from other relevant parties such as the regulator and external auditor to produce a more solid and robust result. Keywords: External Shariah Audit, Islamic Banks, Qualitative Method, Shariah Governance

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 144-153
Author(s):  
M R Yasoa ◽  
S F Muhamad ◽  
T Abdullah ◽  
M N H Yusoff ◽  
N M Said ◽  
...  

Objective – This paper investigates the possibility and feasibility of Malaysia's Islamic banking industry hiring external Shariah audit (ESA) services in the audit fraternity as one of the Shariah governance mechanisms. Some of the scholars argued that ESA is more independent and is able to strengthen the existing Shariah compliance in the industry. Methodology – This study employs a qualitative method by utilising semi-structured interviews with nine key industry players: Shariah auditors, Heads of Shariah audit, Shariah Committee (SC) Member, and Chief Shariah Officer. Data gathered from the interviews was transcribed and analysed using Atlas.ti software. Findings– A series of interviews reveal that given the current practices by the Islamic banking industry, it could be inferred that the Malaysian Islamic banking industry is not ready to exercise the ESA practices. This unreadiness is due to several factors, such as ESA costs outweighing its benefits, the fear of reputational risk, and anxiety of leaking confidential information to rivals. Novelty – The Shariah audit research especially relates to external Shariah audit is considered limited. Type of Paper: Empirical JEL Classification: E44, G10, G20. Keywords: External Shariah audit; Islamic Banks; qualitative method; Shariah governance; Malaysia


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (14) ◽  
pp. 195-200
Author(s):  
Mohd Rushdan Yasoa' ◽  
Wan Amalina Wan Abdullah ◽  
Wan Anisah Endut

This paper compares Shariah audit and Shariah review in Islamic banks in Malaysia based on reporting structure, independence, the scope of duties, technology used, guideline and methodology, coverage period, and officers’ qualification. The study employs a qualitative method by utilizing semi-structured interviews with nine (9) key industry players. Data gathered from a series of interviews have been transcripted and analyzed using Atlas.ti. This study uncovers that Shariah review and Shariah audit have apparent differences and play their roles as a second and third line of defense, respectively, that eventually could provide a stimulus to Shariah governance and strengthen market confidence.  Keywords: Shariah audit, Shariah review, Islamic banks, qualitative method. eISSN: 2398-4287© 2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v5i14.2208


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Shujaat Saleem ◽  
Fadillah Mansor

This paper aims to explore whether the practices of Ijarah financing by Islamic banks in Malaysia are in line with the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) Shariah Standard No: (9) on Ijarah financing. Semi- structured interviews based on open-ended questionnaires were conducted, recorded verbatim, and transcribed for content analysis. Our study revealed flaws in the contemporary practice of Ijarah financing and indicated that it was slightly out of line with the AAOIFI Shariah standard. The study will not only help the Islamic banking industry of Malaysia to reduce, if not eliminate the gap between the practices of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and AAOIFI Shariah standards pertaining to Ijarah financing but also create novel literature due to the fact that, no study has been undertaken to date, which analyzes the practices of Ijarah financing by Malaysian Islamic banks in the light of the AAOIFI Shariah standards.


2022 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-42
Author(s):  
Md. Kausar Alam ◽  
Oli Ahad Thakur

The main objective of this article is to describe the logical reasons why a Centralized Shariah Governance Framework (CSGF) provided by the Central Bank of Bangladesh (Bangladesh Bank) is essential for the country’s Islamic banks. In doing so, it identifies the major regulatory challenges (self-developed and disparate use of Shariah Governance (SG) practices) faced by Islamic banks in Bangladesh. It considers an analytical approach to explore the significance of a CSGF for Islamic banks in Bangladesh and examines the current diversified procedures of SG practices. This article reveals that the self-developed SG practices of Islamic banks in Bangladesh have created confusion and pessimism among the practitioners, bankers and even to the general people and regulators which is negatively affecting the overall image of Islamic banks. Such incongruent governance practices have led to inconsistencies in SG structures, implementation procedures, monitoring activities. In addition, this article reveals that these deficiencies usually exist due to weak monitoring systems of the Central Bank, ineffective functioning of individual Shariah Supervisory Boards (SSB) and the absence of comprehensive SGF. The article argues that the Central Bank of Bangladesh should initiate to reform its Islamic banking industry by introducing a CSGF aimed to identify the roles, responsibilities, powers, and functions of SSB; thereby improving governance, accountability, and overall Shariah compliance quality. This article is hoped to be beneficial for the regulators and practitioners to consider revising current practices.   Keywords: Centralization, Bangladesh Bank, Islamic banks, Shariah governance framework.   Cite as: Alam, M. K., & Thakur, O. A. (2022). Why does Bangladesh require a centralized Shariah governance framework for Islamic banks?  Journal of Nusantara Studies, 7(1), 24-42. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol7iss1pp24-42


2017 ◽  
Vol II (I) ◽  
pp. 356-363
Author(s):  
Muhammad Mushtaq Ahmed ◽  
Zia Uddin ◽  
Muhammad Iqbal

The State Bank of Pakistan introduced diversion from the individual Shariah advisory system to the Shariah board mechanism by issuing the Shariah governance framework in 2016 by making it mandatory for the Islamic banks to have an independent Shariah board. In this paper, it is examined whether the Shariah boards have any effective role in the improvement of the Shariah compliance environment of the banks or not? And how to make it more effective for the betterment of the Islamic banking industry? A questionnaire has been developed to study and inspect these issues. The results indicate that even though the role of sharia board could not be denied in the improvement of Shariah compliance in IBIs, however, the mechanism may be further strengthened. The study also suggests that Shariah board members should be involved regularly by making it obligatory on the IBIs to arrange frequent meetings of the board.


2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (01) ◽  
pp. 97-109
Author(s):  
Ashfaq Ahmad ◽  
Aamir Sohail ◽  
Abid Hussain

Technological intervention and financial innovation are an essential element for the banking sector especially in post-Covid 19 scenario. Islamic banking industry has also no exception and Islamic banks could attain institutional objectives over financial technology. The motivation behind research is to investigate emergence of financial technology in Islamic Banking Industry and its Influence on Bank Performance. The population of the study consists of Islamic banks and windows of Islamic banks operating in Pakistan. The sample size consists of four Islamic banks, five Islamic windows of conventional banks, and State bank of Pakistan. Purposive sampling technique was used by researcher. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and NVIVO software was used for data analysis. Findings indicate that technologies used by different banks to serve the customer are blockchain, mobile banking, customer relations management, cyber security, cloud banking, and fintech start-up. Reaction and response of the Islamic finance industry to the rise of financial technology and its impact on Pakistan is obvious.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 443
Author(s):  
Mohd Rushdan Yasoa' ◽  
Wan Amalina Wan Abdullah ◽  
Wan Anisah Endut

This paper ascertains the current roles and responsibilities of Shariah auditor in the Islamic banking industry in Malaysia. To explore further, we identify the changes in these roles, especially after the introduction of the Shariah Governance Framework (SGF) 2011. The study employs a qualitative method by utilizing in-depth interviews with nine (9) key individuals in Malaysian Islamic banks. Our findings support the notion that Shariah auditors' roles and responsibilities are still under the jurisdiction of the banks' internal audit unit. More importantly, Shariah auditors play their roles as the third line of defense by giving assurance to the shareholders and stakeholders that all businesses and operations comply with Shariah precepts. Also, Shariah auditors need to look at the internal control elements of whether effective and efficient enough to alleviate any possible Shariah breaches. In terms of changes in its roles after the SGF implementation, most of the interviewees assert that the approach has been changed from compliance audit to risk-based audit. Our findings guide us to propose more structured and specific guidelines about Shariah auditors' roles and responsibilities in the Islamic banks. This guideline eventually could provide stimulus to improve governance and strengthen market as well as stakeholder's confidence. Finally, this study stipulates some precious recommendations to further enhance the Shariah auditor roles not only in the Malaysian Islamic banking industry but also in similar contexts.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Puji Sucia Sukmaningrum ◽  
Kashan Pirzada ◽  
Sylva Alif Rusmita ◽  
Fatin Fadhilah Hasib ◽  
Tika Widiastuti ◽  
...  

Objective – Islamic Banks have a distinct advantage that is not only conduct a commercial operation, but to also conduct social operations. Therefore, Islamic Banks plays an important role in developing the Indonesian economy. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of internal and external factors that affect the profitability of Islamic Banks in Indonesia. Methodology/Technique – The methodology of this research is multiple regression. The object of this research is the Islamic banking industry in Indonesia. Internal factors include size, liquidity, asset quality, management, and efficiency ratio. External factors include interest rate and inflation. Return on Assets is used to measure profitability. The monthly data is collected from the financial reports of Islamic Banks between 2011 to 2016. Findings – The findings show that size, liquidity, assets quality, management ratio, interest rate and inflation lead to a greater Return on Assets (profitability) in Islamic Banks in Indonesia. Efficiency however does not have a significant effect on profitability of Islamic Banks in Indonesia. Novelty – Based on the results of this research, it can be concluded that the Islamic banking industry can use those variables to improve the profitability of Islamic banks in the future. In addition, there are two variables that affect the profitability of Islamic banking industry. For the Islamic banking industry should anticipate the movement of inflation and interest to improve the profitability of Islamic banks. Type of Paper: Empirical paper. Keywords: Islamic Banks; Profitability; Internal Factors; External Factors; Indonesia. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Sukmaningrum, P.S; Pirzada, K; Rusmita, S.A; Hasib, F.F; Widiastuti, T; Hendratmi, A. 2020. Determinants of Islamic Bank Profitability: Evidence from Indonesia, J. Fin. Bank. Review, 5 (1): pp. 01 – 13 https://doi.org/10.35609/jfbr.2020.5.1(1) JEL Classification: G21, G24.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-189
Author(s):  
Sharifah Faigah Syed Alwi ◽  
◽  
Fateha Abd Halim ◽  
Tengku Dewi Ahdiyaty Tengku Ahmad Mazlin ◽  
Aizurra Haidah Abdul Kadir ◽  
...  

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) had introduced Value-Based Intermediation (VBI) initiatives to help Islamic banks implement a structuralised form of maqasid al-shariah (objectives of shariah (Islamic law)) in their banking operations. Thus, questions were raised by the public on whether or not Islamic banking institutions in Malaysia had been achieving maqasid al-shariah in their banking operations prior to VBI. This paper aims to discuss the real concept of maqasid al-shariah that should be realised in Islamic banks and investigate whether Islamic banks had truly been achieving maqasid al-shariah in their banking operations before the introduction of VBI. Library research is conducted to obtain information on maqasid al-shariah and the qualitative methodology is adopted to gain information from three bankers representing three Islamic banks in Malaysia via semi-structured interviews. The researchers found that the fundamental concept of maqasid al-shariah in Islamic banks includes the protection of religion, life, intellect, progeny and wealth in human life through the products and services offered by the banks. The Islamic banks were found to have developed their products and services to achieve maqasid al-shariah even before VBI was introduced by BNM. However, with VBI, a proper framework in achieving maqasid al-shariah has been developed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-106
Author(s):  
Angga Syahputra

Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world. With this amount, of course, it should be a capital for economic strength. However, as of November 2020, data released by the Financial Services Authority put the Islamic banking market share at 6.33%. Efforts to merge the three state-owned Sharia banks into Indonesian Sharia Banks are expected to increase the penetration of the sharia economy in Indonesia, which is still far behind when compared to conventional domestic economic movements and Islamic financial transactions in other countries. This research will describe the extent of the sharia economic conditions in Indonesia after the merger of state-owned sharia banks into BSI. This study uses a qualitative method with a type of literature review research which is obtained from various authentic sources such as books, articles, journals and trusted websites. There was a 2.7% increase in the market share of Islamic banks after the merger. This increase when compared to the existing potential and the market is still very small. However, it is hoped that this impact will continue to increase over time, especially as capital support for various financial sectors and the halal industry in the country.


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