Sustainability and ESG are no longer mere regulatory checkboxes for Malaysian businesses – they are vital drivers of long-term commercial success. This strategic shift was fully evident as organisations turned out in force to celebrate their green and social achievements. Demonstrating an unyielding commitment to responsible growth, an impressive total of 44 firms proved that purpose and profitability can seamlessly coexist by clinching 65 accolades across diverse sectors.
This remarkable display of enterprise-led impact took centre stage at the ESG Positive Impact Awards (ESG PIA) 2025 gala dinner, held at the Sunway Resort Hotel under the theme “Celebrating ESG in Action: From Vision to Value.”
The fourth edition of the flagship event brought together key policymakers, industry leaders and corporate trailblazers to honour organisations embedding environmental, social and governance principles deep into their operational DNA.
Organised by Star Media Group (SMG) Bhd and advised by Ernst & Young, the national initiative continues to set the benchmark for sustainable business practices.
The awards carry strong institutional backing, endorsed by four key government bodies: Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry; Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry; Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, and the Human Resources Ministry (Kesuma).
Main sponsor Telekom Malaysia Bhd and co-sponsor IJM Rimbayu further supported the movement, underscoring how cross-sector alliances accelerate Malaysia’s sustainability agenda.
Aligning with national priorities
The gala dinner highlighted how private sector initiatives directly complement national priorities. Guest of honour Kesuma minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan commended the platform for embodying the Malaysia Madani principles, specifically the core value of Ihsan (compassion) in action.
He noted that integrating human rights, workforce diversity, talent management and robust governance ensures
equitable support for workers across all economic sectors.
In his welcoming address, SMG group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt praised the recipients for proving that ethical, responsible operations generate enduring value for shareholders, workforces, local communities and future generations alike.
Celebrating flagship ESG initiatives
The climax of the evening was the presentation of the prestigious Most Outstanding ESG Initiative 2025 Awards, celebrating flagship projects driving systemic change.
Under the SME and Mid-Tier Category, HeveaPac Sdn Bhd claimed top honours for its decade-long dedication to sustainable manufacturing, clean energy practices and comprehensive workforce welfare.
Founder and executive director Peh Ju Chai noted that the award validated ten years of continuous investment, including extensive rainwater harvesting, advanced dust control systems, an on-site medical clinic and a RM25mil modern, tech-equipped housing facility for foreign workers.
Peh added that such recognition proves SMEs can meaningfully contribute to national sustainability goals.
As for the Large Companies Category, YTY Industry Holdings Sdn Bhd earned the top accolade for its exemplary leadership in ethical labour standards, eco-friendly manufacturing and clean energy transitions.
YTY group chairman and chief executive officer Vikram Hora commended SMG for providing a platform that spotlights the sustainability strides of non-publicly traded firms.
Reaffirming YTY’s focus on social compliance and fair labour practices – particularly regarding migrant worker rights – Vikram remarked that the award inspires the firm to push its benchmarks even higher.
A unified regional movement
Reflecting the expanding scope of the movement, the gala dinner also served as a stage for cross-border collaboration. SMG’s initiative forms an integral pillar of the Asia ESG Positive Impact Consortium (A-EPIC), founded alongside Indonesia’s Media Group of Kompas Gramedia (KG Media) and the Philippines’ Inquirer Group of Companies.
Demonstrating regional unity, the evening featured a synchronised live broadcast linking concurrent award ceremonies across all three nations – Malaysia’s ESG PIA, Indonesia’s Lestari Awards and the Philippines’ Inquirer ESG Edge Impact Awards.
A joint welcome message from Chan, KG Media chief executive officer Andy Budiman and Inquirer Interactive Inc chair Sandy P. Romualdez highlighted a unified commitment to elevating sustainability standards across South-East Asia.
Gracing the event, Her Excellency Maria Angela A. Ponce, Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia, praised the growth of the consortium, noting that regional collaboration allows industries of all sizes, from local SMEs to multinational corporations, to learn from shared experiences and adopt international best practices.
From strategy to practical execution
While the gala dinner marked the celebratory culmination of the campaign, the groundwork for these achievements was showcased earlier in the year.
In January, SMG played host to the ESG Winners Showcase and Power Breakfast in Selangor and Penang respectively, bringing together past national victors and regional contenders from the inaugural Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards 2025 to exchange critical industry insights.
The pre-gala forum underscored real-world execution across business tiers. Six past large-company champions delivered detailed presentations under the banner “Beyond Compliance: Why Strategic ESG is a Business Imperative, Not a Moral Obligation,” outlining how embedding ESG into core operations safeguards long-term viability.
Simultaneously, five past SME winners addressed “The Pivotal Strategic Move That Drove Business Growth and Unlocked Our ESG Journey,” providing practical blueprints on how smaller enterprises can leverage sustainability to capture new market opportunities.
By shifting the conversation from abstract promises to practical execution, the showcase highlighted how ESG adoption serves as a direct catalyst for enterprise growth and resilience.
The journey continues
The ESG PIA 2025 marks a significant milestone, but the journey continues. Selected winners from the ESG PIA 2025, the Lestari Awards and the Inquirer ESG Edge Impact Awards will gather this November to represent their respective countries at the regional Asia ESG PIA. By proving that profitability and purpose can go hand in hand, the 2025 award winners have set a clear, inspiring standard for corporate Malaysia and the wider region to emulate.
