The Malaysian Accountant - The Malaysian Institute Of Certified ...

Dato’ JohanRaslanHis gracious and engaging demeanour immediatelyputs one at ease. An essential quality to have when one isthe Executive Chairman of one of the biggest accountingfirms in the country – PricewaterhouseCoopers Malaysia.Coupled with his natural enthusiasm in his work and hisdynamism, it is not surprising that Dato’ Johan Raslan iswhere he is today – at the top of his profession.It is all these qualities and more that he will bring tohis new position as the Vice-President of the MICPAincluding the youth and vitality needed to take the Instituteto even greater heights.The honour accorded was an unexpected surprise forhim. “The MICPA holds a special position as a body forAccountants in the country, being a home-grown entity.MICPA is special because it is Malaysian and I don’t thinkour profession would be as strong and high quality withoutthe MICPA,” said Dato’ Johan who is also a member of theInstitute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.“My role as Vice-President is to give support to Dato’Nordin and to provide some continuity in the role that heplayed before as a VP,” said Dato’ Johan. He is also full ofadmiration and respect for his former counterpart.Dato’ Johan who holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons)degree in Economics and Accountancy from University ofHull, United Kingdom was admitted as a member of theMICPA in 2002 and quickly became a Council Member in2003. His view on increasing the number of students sittingfor the MICPA examinations is an interesting one.“Everyone has a different take on this. I feel thatMICPA should not ever want to be a mass factory churningout the majority of Accountants in Malaysia. Rather, itshould be the Institute of choice for those who wish to bethe elite,” he opined.He further stressed, “In that way, the employer willalways choose an MICPA over other qualifications. I amsure there are things we can do to improve the situationand attract and target the kind of students who have higheraims and abilities.”On the issue of students preferring other professionalqualifications over the MICPA because of widerinternational recognition, he added that MICPA membershave no problems procuring jobs overseas. “Internationally,because of its high standards, the MICPA has managed totranscend those apparent challenges of recognition,” saidDato' Johan.He went on to stress that there are a lot of youngMalaysians these days, who deliberately choosequalifications which are more difficult.“And the reason they do it is because they are farsightedand they know that eventually they are going to becompeting with each other. They are looking for aqualification that sets them apart. They are going to be thefuture leaders and the flag bearers of the profession,” hesaid.Further on the future of the MICPA, Dato’ Johan is ofthe opinion that the Institute must move in tandem withthe evolving world.“To remain relevant in a constantly changing world,a constantly changing country which is part of a constantlyglobalising world, where great things are happening,where climate changes are becoming a major issue, wherethe flows of people are huge, where accounting standardsand other standards are becoming global, it is importantto ensure that we ourselves change,” he highlighted.“If we as an Institute want to continue to do the samethings, we will find ourselves left behind eventually. So wehave to change as well. This is my point of view and I willcontinue to state my point of view to the MICPA,” heemphasised.Dato’ Johan feels that it is time for the MICPA to stepup the pace and play a stronger role, especially inenhancing the image of the profession. He feels that MICPAmembers who are among the premier accountants in thecountry must play a leading role in this endeavour, to takethe lead and demonstrate leadership and integrity overand above the call of duty.22 | The Malaysian Accountant | June/August 2007 www.micpa.com.my