Accelerating Malaysia's ESG agenda
Star Media Group Bhd (SMG) launched the inaugural ESG Positive Impact Awards today at Menara Star, with OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Bhd as main sponsor.
In pushing forth the environmental, social and governance (ESG) agenda, the awards programme seeks to recognise and showcase Malaysian companies – from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to large corporations – that demonstrate exemplary ESG practices.
It also aims to accelerate the ESG momentum and inspire greater adoption among companies to drive lasting change and positive impact for a sustainable tomorrow.
There are a total of 15 categories, which will be split across the environmental, social and governance aspects.
Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Miti) deputy secretary-general (investment) Datuk Bahria Mohd Tamil, who represented Miti secretary-general Datuk Seri Lokman Hakim Ali in launching the awards programme, said, “From a trade perspective, we are witnessing more and more of our export destinations adopting sustainability practices, with a specific emphasis on ESG compliance.
“The same is also true from an investment perspective, as investors increasingly consider ESG elements before deciding where to invest and expand. To ensure that Malaysia remains competitive and relevant within the global supply chain, the Government has implemented various initiatives to improve our ESG standing.
“I would like to congratulate Star Media Group, OCBC Bank and their working partners for the launch of the ESG Positive Impact Awards. I commend the proactive efforts in rallying corporate Malaysia to embrace ESG frameworks and raising greater awareness amongst Keluarga Malaysia. Together, we will be able to build the future we envision for our nation.”
Meanwhile, in her speech, Ministry of Environment and Water (Kasa) deputy secretary-general Noor Afifah Abdul Razak said that programmes such as the ESG Positive Impact Awards serve to encourage corporate Malaysia to consider how business is carried out, as well as promote a platform for knowledge sharing.
“This ultimately rallies organisations towards contributing to the sustainable development of the nation,” she added.
Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation deputy chief executive officer (CEO) for exporters development, Abu Bakar Yusof commended SMG and OCBC Bank for launching the awards programme.
He said, “The ESG Positive Impact Awards comes at the right time for our companies to really look into how they can embrace and adopt ESG and sustainability in their business process and model, so that they can look into gaining better market access in the long run.
“Of course, this requires awareness and education among exporters, especially SMEs. I believe the awards programme will further reinforce the significance of our exporters to comply with global standards with regards to ESG and sustainability.
“Matrade, through our own sustainability initiative, will render our support to this initiative so that we can get more SME exporters to join the awards, so that they can also tell others about their ESG journey.”
Securities Commission Malaysia strategic communications and chairman’s office executive director Datuk Seri Abdul Jalil Hamid lauded the awards for being a timely initiative and went on to say, “Congratulations to SMG and OCBC Bank (Malaysia) for launching the ESG Positive Impact Awards.
“This is very timely and it will be very useful to the Malaysian economic and social environment, because it will encourage companies, big or small, to try harder to be environmentally friendly, socially responsible and improve governance, in line with what the end consumers and the markets require in terms of ESG products and services.
“It is something we should encourage and inspire every company in Malaysia to work towards the ESG agenda and goals.”
As the main sponsor of the awards, OCBC Bank (Malaysia) CEO Datuk Ong Eng Bin said that it was an honour to partner SMG, the nation’s leading English-language daily, especially as the banking group celebrates its 90th anniversary.
“This is a very great time to bring together two very important and strong institutions, SMG and OCBC, to recognise and celebrate companies that are leading in sustainability in the way they come up with the products and also the way they champion sustainability.
“We see our tie-up with SMG through this inaugural ESG Positive Impact Awards as solidifying our quest to achieve our objectives, as we keep on striving towards the greater good of the environment and our surrounding communities.
“Today, we are giving the opportunity to companies throughout Malaysia to be recognised for their efforts in ESG and to be singled out as role models for others to emulate,” he shared.
SMG group CEO Alex Yeow noted that the government and many businesses have embraced the sustainability agenda by embedding ESG pillars within their organisational framework, but added that there is a need to also place focus on SMEs who form the backbone of the country’s economy.
He added, “This is where SMG comes into play through an all-encompassing approach. As one of Malaysia’s leading media organisations, we recognise our role as an important enabler in the ESG agenda and our ability to create a paradigm shift towards ESG.
“The ESG Positive Impact Awards is our latest endeavour in this ESG movement. The awards serve to not only recognise organisational achievements in ESG, but also to empower and develop capacity for SMEs. Through building like-minded fraternities in support of ESG, this will ultimately help shape a better world for future generations.”
In conjunction with the launch, an exhibition on prominent local social enterprises was also held, featuring familiar names such as Impactlution, Karun Hijau, Pal-My, PWD Smart Farmability and The Tiffin Company.
The ESG Positive Impact Awards 2022 is organised by Star Media Group Bhd, with OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Bhd as main sponsor. To register your interest to participate in the awards programme, visit https://staresgawards.com.my/.
