Datuk Dr Mahadi Mohamad
Executive director
Green Growth Asia Foundation
Having served as a judge since the inception of The Star’s ESG Positive Impact Awards (ESG PIA), I have had the privilege of witnessing the evolution of Malaysia’s sustainability landscape through the quality, ambition and impact of the participating organisations.
Over the years, the entries have become increasingly mature and substantive. We are seeing more organisations move beyond sustainability as a compliance requirement or corporate reporting exercise towards embedding ESG principles into their core strategies, operations and decision-making.
This year’s submissions demonstrated encouraging progress, with many presenting practical solutions, measurable outcomes and a genuine commitment to creating long-term value for businesses, communities and the environment.
The diversity of entries from large corporations to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) also reflects a growing recognition that sustainability is not determined by the size of an organisation. Every organisation has the capacity to contribute meaningfully. SMEs, in particular, have demonstrated agility, innovation and the ability to create significant impact despite operating with more limited resources.
As the ESG landscape continues to evolve, organisations must strengthen the measurement and verification of their impact. Clear baselines, credible data and transparent reporting are essential. More importantly, sustainability initiatives should demonstrate scalability, continuity and the ability to deliver lasting outcomes beyond a single project or reporting cycle.
ESG PIA plays an important role in recognising credible achievements, showcasing Malaysian leadership and inspiring more organisations to accelerate their sustainability journey. I strongly support this platform and commend The Star for sustaining an initiative that celebrates progress while encouraging higher standards of ambition, accountability and impact.
To this year’s winners and participants, congratulations. Recognition is an important milestone, but it should also serve as a catalyst for greater action. Continue to innovate, collaborate and lead with purpose. The collective actions we take today will shape Malaysia’s resilience, competitiveness and shared future for generations to come.
Stefanie Braukmann
Director
Business Council of Sustainable Development Malaysia
Having judged ESG PIA in previous years, I always find it interesting to see how the submissions evolve and what they tell us about the broader state of sustainability in Malaysia.
This year, judging the large company category in the finalist round, my overall impression is that many Malaysian corporations have made real progress. The companies we assessed had already won hold in their respective categories, so we were looking at organisations that had demonstrated a strong level of commitment and achievement.
In the stronger entries, ESG is no longer being treated mainly as a compliance requirement, a reporting exercise or an opportunity to generate positive publicity. It is increasingly being connected to how companies manage risk, strengthen operations, engage employees and stakeholders, and prepare their businesses for the future.
That is probably the biggest change I have observed over the years. The conversation has moved on from whether companies should embrace ESG. The more important question now is how deeply it is embedded into the business and whether it influences actual decisions.
I was encouraged by the quality of the finalist entries and by the evidence of stronger governance, clearer accountability and greater involvement from senior leadership and boards. At this level, the opportunity is less about starting the ESG journey and more about continuing to deepen the impact by scaling successful initiatives, strengthening integration across the business and maintaining momentum over time.
The entries also reflect the wider reality in Malaysia. Progress is being made, but not every organisation is moving at the same pace. Some companies genuinely see sustainability as a source of resilience and long-term value, while others may still approach it as an obligation or added cost. There is also still a risk of selective storytelling and greenwashing where the claims are stronger than the evidence.
However, the companies participating in these awards are generally already demonstrating a serious level of commitment. That gives me reason to be optimistic. Businesses have an important role to play in shaping our shared future, and many Malaysian companies are showing that they are prepared to take that responsibility seriously.
My message to this year’s winners and participants is not to view the award as a finishing line. It should be seen as recognition of progress made so far, but also as encouragement to continue. Sustainability requires consistency, honesty and long-term commitment. The real test is whether companies continue to improve, remain transparent about both achievements and shortcomings, and keep ESG firmly embedded in the way they do business.
Khairull Hafiz Ismail
Principal ESG consultant
Environmental Management and Research Association of Malaysia
It has been a privilege to serve as a judge for this year's ESG PIA.
The entries showcased genuine commitment and creativity across a wide range of sustainability initiatives. Several submissions exceeded my expectations, particularly because they reflected the same practical ESG challenges and solutions that I encounter in my work both in the plantation industry and as an ESG consultant.
It is encouraging to see organisations moving beyond compliance and translating sustainability into meaningful actions. Going forward, I would encourage companies to strengthen their submissions by demonstrating clearer year-on-year progress, allowing stakeholders to better appreciate how their ESG journey is evolving and the measurable impact it is creating.
As this was my first year on the judging panel, I was impressed by the quality and diversity of the submissions. The winners demonstrated that impactful sustainability is not limited to large corporations. Whether through water conservation, circular economy initiatives, inclusive workplaces or responsible governance, many small and medium enterprises proved that meaningful ESG practices are achievable regardless of organisational size.
These entries give me confidence that Malaysia's sustainability landscape is maturing. More organisations are recognising that ESG is not merely a reporting exercise but a strategic driver of long-term resilience and value creation.
If more businesses look to the Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards as a benchmark for excellence and continuous improvement, I believe Malaysia is well positioned to become a regional leader in sustainable business.
To all winners and participants, my message is simple: keep moving forward. Celebrate your achievements but never stop improving. Sustainability is a journey, not a destination.
Continue building a holistic approach that integrates environmental stewardship, social responsibility and strong governance into the way your organisation operates every day. Those consistent efforts will create lasting positive impact for your business, your stakeholders and future generations.
Assoc Prof Dr Sharina Abdul Halim
Deputy director
Institute for Environment and Development
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
In essence, ESG represents more than a reporting mechanism. It encompasses a commitment to sustainability that extends beyond the routine conduct of business.
It is about making meaningful and extraordinary differences in everyday operations. It is also a journey of innovation, lifelong learning, integrity, accountability and having the courage to improve.
The entries submitted for ESG PIA demonstrated that SMEs possess the capabilities, systems, resources and commitment necessary to integrate ESG into their practices and sustainability actions.
I am truly inspired by their commitments, which are manifested in diverse forms and at different stages of development. This diversity reflects the fact that ESG should not be approached as a checklist or a one-size-fits-all framework.
Most importantly, the wide range of sectors represented – logistics and transportation, real estate, creative events, waste management, shopping malls, manufacturing, hostel management, entertainment and energy – demonstrates that sustainability and ESG go hand in hand.
The ESG initiatives observed among the SME submissions were tangible and quantitatively driven, supporting ESG reporting and the building of an evidence base for continuous improvement.
The ripple effects of these activities were also reflected in intangible and qualitative outcomes, revealing the holistic nature of ESG across all entry categories, such as environment, social impact, transformation and innovative partnership.
The ESG PIA has advanced the sustainability agenda through a whole-of-society approach. It helps break down the conventional, siloed approach to sustainable development, which is often pursued sector by sector.
As the familiar axiom reminds us, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” The success of ESG and sustainability is not driven by companies alone, but also by meaningful engagement with all those affected by business activities.
ESG PIA therefore extends beyond just as an award. More importantly, it conveys a powerful message: our well-being is intrinsically linked to the wellbeing of people, all living organisms and the world around us.
It is my sincere hope that the awards will continue to bring out the best in SMEs and large companies in Malaysia, particularly in pursuing sustainability with intention and conscience, guided by their respective faiths.
There needs to be more concerted efforts to extend its benefits to the wider society, particularly by putting the last first and ensuring that sustainability remains inclusive and just.
In doing so, the awards can demonstrate humanity’s commitment to placing sustainability at the heart, mind and soul of our collective progress and wellbeing.
