PUTRAJAYA: Investing in occupational safety and health is a strategic investment critical for sustaining the nation’s robust economic growth, said Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
The Health Minister said that such investment would help strengthen innovation and resilience among the workforce, ensuring they remain the “engines of a robust economy”.
“When we invest in safety, we are not incurring a cost.
“We are indeed securing a strategic asset that drives innovation and resilience,” he said at the Malaysian Industrial Safety & Health Association (Misha) Awards Ceremony on Friday night.
All smiles: Ng received the Misha Anugerah Pena Emas. — ARFA YUNUS/The StarBesides being a legal, environmental, social and governance (ESG) duty, protecting workers was also a moral imperative, he stressed.
“In today’s global landscape, our commitment to ESG principles is non-negotiable.
“Protecting our workers is a direct reflection of our integrity and our responsibility towards sustainable development,” Dzulkefly added.
He said that occupational safety and health (OSH) should no longer be viewed as a peripheral issue but as one central to the nation’s well-being and productivity.
“For every worker who leaves home, we must remember that each and every one deserves to return home safely and be protected from diseases, including those acquired in the workplace,” he said.
He added that OSH goes beyond construction site accidents to include long-term health issues such as respiratory illnesses, chemical exposure, and psychosocial hazards.
“A safe workplace translates into better productivity and competitiveness,” he said.
Dzulkefly also highlighted the strategic collaboration between the Health Ministry and Misha in advancing Malaysia’s lung health initiatives.
“Workplace exposures and environmental pollution are critical risk factors for lung diseases.
“Therefore, safeguarding our environment is not just an ecological duty but a public health imperative,” he said.
He took the opportunity to congratulate Misha for elevating the awards to the Asean level this year, with participation from Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, India, the Philippines and Indonesia, saying the platform fosters regional cooperation through the sharing of best practices.
Dzulkefly said the award ceremony was not merely about celebrating trophies or accolades but a testament to the collective commitment of the government, industry players, and professional bodies to advancing a sustainable OSH culture.
“To the award recipients, your achievements epitomise trust, responsibility and leadership.
“Let us build a future of work that is safer, healthier and more productive, for the well-being of all workers and for a resilient Malaysia,” he added.
Among the award recipients was Star Media Group Chief Content Officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng, who received the Misha Anugerah Pena Emas 2025 in recognition of responsible and impactful reporting on occupational safety and health through the group’s media platforms.
Other recipients include media practitioners from Astro Awani, Suria FM, Media Prima, New Straits Times, Bernama Radio, Radio Televisyen Malaysia’s Radio Programme Division and TV AlHijrah.
The award, presented by Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye and former Occupational Safety and Health Department director-general Omar Mat Piah, recognises impactful journalism on workplace safety and health.
