Ahmad was no stranger in the palm oil industry. With decades of experience, he was well known as a factory manager who led with discipline, fairness, and above all—integrity.
When he joined a new company, he was faced with a daunting issue. In the storage tanks of the factory lay nearly 3,000 metric tons of crude palm oil (CPO) that had deteriorated in quality after being stored for years. The oil was no longer suitable for standard trade, and the stock had become a burden to the company.
Seeking a responsible solution, Ahmad proposed to the management:
“Let us sell this oil as sludge oil. At least it generates some value rather than being wasted.”
The management approved his suggestion, and the oil was gradually sold. After nearly 95% of the stock was disposed of, a buyer approached Ahmad with a questionable proposal:
“Mr. Ahmad, why don’t we record only half of the remaining oil as sold, and declare the rest as unusable? I will compensate you for the remaining amount.”
Ahmad’s eyes sharpened. To him, this was no ordinary suggestion—it was a direct attempt to buy his honor. With firm conviction, he replied:
“Are you trying to buy me with your money?”
The buyer was stunned. Ahmad immediately reported the incident to the company owner.
“Sir, you once said this buyer is a good man. But today, he tried to bribe me into falsifying the oil sales. Do you still want us to continue doing business with his company?”
Ahmad’s words carried a weight of truth and integrity. The owner, deeply moved, promptly terminated all dealings with the buyer’s company.
Lesson Learned
In today’s business world, money is often used as bait by the greedy to commit corruption. Bribery can come in many forms—sometimes subtle, sometimes blatant. But only those with character, integrity, and moral courage can stand firm against it.
Ahmad’s refusal proved one timeless principle: honor and integrity are priceless. His courage became a shield, not just for himself, but also for the company’s reputation.
Footnote & References
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Covey, S. R. (1991). Principle-Centered Leadership. New York: Free Press. – On the importance of character and integrity in leadership.
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Goleman, D. (2000). Leadership That Gets Results. Harvard Business Review, 78(2), 78-90. – On the role of leadership styles and moral courage in business.
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Transparency International (2023). Corruption Perceptions Index. Retrieved from https://www.transparency.org – Highlighting the ongoing global challenge of corruption.
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