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PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess key issues in measurement and management of operational risk in Malaysian Islamic banks.Design/methodology/approachDescriptive, analytical, and comparative analyses are used to discuss the issues of operational risk in Islamic bank through the implications associated with the Islamic banks' operational risk as well as the implications on risk measurement, risk management, and capital adequacy.FindingsDiscussion on operational risk in Islamic banks is significant and becoming more complicated compared with conventional banking because of the unique contractual features and general legal environment. While basic Basel II core principles of effective banking supervision apply equally well and ideally suit the Islamic banking institutions, risk measurement, and risk management practices still need specific adaptations to Islamic banks' operational characteristics. These particularities highlight the unique characteristics of Islamic banks and raise serious concerns regarding the applicability of the Basel II methodology for Islamic banks.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has important implications for the understanding of operational risk, particularly the specific issues of the Islamic banks' operational risk that arise from the different nature of the financing and investment activities of the banks. With regard to measuring operational risk capital charge, the banks have to choose the right and effective method to ensure the operational risk capital charge will be more in line with the banks' actual risk profile and thus will provide the adequate capital and an improved buffer once the losses are announced.Originality/valueThe paper will fill the gap to the existing literature of operational risk in banking institutions especially Islamic banks, by showing the needs of specific adaption of operational risk measurement and risk management practices due to the nature of Islamic banks.

Over the last decade since the inception of the first Islamic bank in Malaysia in 1983, Malaysia saw an increasing demand for Islamic banking services from consumers. Whilst the need for highly trained and skilled manpower in the Islamic banking industry is well established, the main challenge is really a mismatch of talent pool between what is required by the banks and what is offered by the market. Thus, this paper argues for a competency framework for shariah auditors in Malaysia. Prior research reveals that the competency requirements for shariah auditors were still not developed even though there is a need for it. A more recent empirical study reveals that most shariah auditors are either trained in shariah or auditing discipline. There is indeed an urgent need to draft the competency requirements which will include the knowledge, skills and other characteristics (KSOC) requirements to ensure adequate supply of competent shariah auditors to meet the expanding market demand. This paper proposes a new KSOC model as a basis for competency framework for shariah auditors that can uphold their effective functioning in our Islamic banking system.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify the competencies required of Shari’ah auditor (SAR) in the Islamic banking environment. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative approach using a multiple-case study through the semi-structured interview was used. Data was gathered from a representative of Central Bank of Malaysia, and 30 other respondents consist of the Head of Shari’ah audit (HSA) and SAR from four types of banking institutions. A focus group discussion was later conducted to validate the model of competency proposed. Findings Results show a mixed practice on the recruitment of SAR. Most banking institutions prefer to use their existing internal auditors as opposed to recruiting fresh graduates or acquire experienced SAR from other financial institutions. Knowledge in Shari’ah, Islamic banking and Fiqh Muamalat is considered as the essential knowledge component for SAR, while auditing is revealed as the core skill that SAR should have to perform the Shari’ah audit effectively. The study also found that personal skills such as willingness to learn and teamwork as the complementing characteristics to the knowledge and skill components, as a package required for a competent SAR. Research limitations/implications The results of this study would have both theoretical and practical contributions to the regulatory bodies, academicians and professionals. Theoretically, this study made a concerted effort to enhance prior studies on the qualification aspect of Shari’ah audit literature, emphasizing the elements necessary to recruit competent SARs in the Islamic financial institutions (IFIs). The element of “time” has been infused to the existing effective job performance theory add dynamics to the model, recognizing the need for years of experience as part of elements necessary to become competent SAR. In practice, the competency model is recommended to the industry players in pooling competent talents in the Islamic finance industry (R4) and (B5). In spite of its limitation to confine only to the IFIs, it sheds light on human resource management within the Islamic organizations. Practical implications The study would contribute to the practitioners as a guideline to the Human Resource Department in recruiting their SAR and also for succession planning purposes. Originality/value A competency model for SAR was proposed focusing on building knowledge, core and personal skills that can be used as guidance in determining the criteria needed for a competent SAR, which is a new dimension for Islamic auditing literature. The sub-objective of determining the elements of competency, as well as understanding the current practice of recruiting the SAR became the input in the building of the competency model.

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