Insights on ESG: (From left) Dr Ng, Mohd Tawfique Hidayat, Puteri Sarah Karina and Muhammad Rizal during a talk ahead of the ESG Positive Impact Awards in George Town. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Technology must produce tangible results if environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals are to make a real impact, attendees were told at the ESG Positive Impact Awards (ESG PIA) 2025 Power Breakfast here.
“A positive impact, in practical terms, would mean seeing technology as the driving force for the ESG outcomes.
“In technology terms, we want to see outcomes that are tied directly to ESG,” said Credence chief executive officer Mohamad Rejab Sulaiman.
Access for everyone: Mohamad Rejab says the social aspect of ESG is crucial, especially for ensuring fair access to basic services.Credence, a cloud and digital services company, is a subsidiary of Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM).
TM is the main sponsor for ESG PIA 2025, which is organised by Star Media Group (SMG).
On the environmental pillar, Mohamad Rejab said decarbonisation efforts must be supported by data and accountability.
“Technology can help organisations track, record and measure carbon emissions.
“When you can measure, you know where you stand, and only then can you take action,” he said.
Mohamad Rejab added that the social aspect of ESG is equally critical, particularly in ensuring equitable access to basic services.
“With Internet connectivity effectively becoming a basic necessity, it is about providing access to technology, healthcare and basic needs to people, whether in urban or rural areas,” he said.
TM, through the technology it offers, can also help companies achieve stronger compliance and accountability, which is part of the governance pillar, he added.
The three-hour Power Breakfast on Wednesday was held as part of the build-up to the ESG PIA.
In addition to Mohamad Rejab’s ESG ByteTalk on “The Symbiotic Relationship: Technology and ESG Goals in the Digital Age”, the event featured a presentation on the “Penang Green Agenda 2030 and the Green Industry Programme” by Penang Green Council programme manager Dr Ng Shin Wei.
Dr Ng also moderated a panel discussion titled “The Energy Trilemma in Malaysia: Balancing Security, Affordability and Sustainability under National Energy Transition Roadmap”.
The panellists were Leader Energy business development director Mohd Tawfique Hidayat Roseli, IHH Healthcare Malaysia sustainability and data protection head Puteri Sarah Karina Abdul Aziz, and Bursa Carbon Exchange business and product development vice-president Muhammad Rizal Azmi.
Thum Yeow Keon, who was among the 100-odd attendees, said the topic drew him to travel from Kuala Lumpur for the event.
“It is an interesting and up-and-coming space, and it is important for us to be here.
“From an industry perspective, the biggest benefit is gaining insight into what is happening across different parties in the conversation, so we can make more informed decisions when preparing our solutions and products for the market,” the RHC Consultancy managing director said.
Launched in 2022, the ESG PIA recognises organisations that have gone beyond pledges and policies to deliver measurable ESG outcomes.
The awards highlight companies that have translated sustainability ambitions into real value for people, the planet and business performance.
Spanning areas such as decarbonisation, diversity, governance transparency and technology-driven solutions, the awards aim to showcase practical ESG leadership while encouraging wider adoption of responsible and sustainable practices across industries.
The gala dinner and winner announcement will be held on July 21, with submissions closing on April 16. ESG PIA 2025’s co-sponsor is IJM Rimbayu.
IJM Land chief operating officer Datuk Chai Kian Soon said the goal of the sponsorship is to move the needle from awareness to collective transformation.
“By showcasing ESG role models, we provide a roadmap for others to follow – fostering a resilient business community where sustainable practices aren’t just celebrated, but become the standard for how we protect our planet and empower our people,” he said.
Through highlighting exemplary responsible business practices, IJM Land also aims to inspire collective action and encourage more organisations to embrace sustainability so that people, businesses and the planet can thrive together, Chai added.
Beyond celebrating award recipients, Credence’s Mohamad Rejab said TM hoped the awards would help build a wider ESG ecosystem.
“As a technology provider, we provide the technology and the platform. We want more independent software vendors to build ESG solutions for Malaysia.
“Some of these solutions can eventually go beyond Malaysia, and that will also give recognition to Malaysia as a country that is serious about ESG,” he said.
For details, visit https://staresgawards.com.my/.
