Accounting In Malaysia In The Post-New Economic Policy (NEP) Era

Following the economic recession in 1985-86 but prior to the Asian Financial Crisis in the thirdquarter 1997, accounting in Malaysia appeared to have been energised with major amendmentsof the Companies Act 1965, activation of the statutory accounting body Malaysian Institute ofAccountants (MIA) and talks over the setting up the Malaysian Accounting Standards Board(MASB). This study attempts to find out the reality of these changes and the reasons behindthis reality. By applying the political economic approach to accounting (Cooper & Sherer,1984) and with data obtained from primary and secondary source documentation and in-depthinterviews, it is found that superficial accounting changes had taken place: Companies Actamendment on additional auditor reporting duty was lacking in enforcement, the revived MIAacted inadequately as accounting regulator; and, the MASB was established with no enforcementcapability. These changes were consistent with and stemmed from Malaysia's social, economicand political attributes which were supported by the elite class.  Copyright © www.iiste.org