PETALING JAYA: Celebrating leadership in sustainable business, the ESG Positive Impact Awards (PIA) 2025 recognised 44 firms from diverse sectors and industries with 65 awards yesterday for driving high-impact ESG initiatives.
Under the theme “Celebrating ESG in Action: From Vision to Value”, the ceremony paid tribute to organisations embedding ethical principles deep into their core operations, far beyond the bottom line, across 16 categories.
Highlighting the evening, two exceptional organisations earned the prestigious Most Outstanding ESG Initiative 2025 Award for their groundbreaking projects.
Under the SME and Mid-Tier, HeveaPac Sdn Bhd was recognised for its impactful work in sustainable manufacturing, clean energy practices and inclusive workforce initiatives.
For the Large Companies Tier, YTY Industry Holdings Sdn Bhd earned accolades for its commitment to ethical labour standards, eco-friendly manufacturing and clean energy transitions.
Organised by Star Media Group (SMG) Bhd and advised by Ernst & Young, the initiative is supported by a wide network of partners and endorsed by the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry; Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry; Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry; and Human Resources Ministry (Kesuma).
Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) is ESG PIA 2025’s main sponsor, while IJM Rimbayu is the co- sponsor.
Championing regional impact
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, who was the guest of honour, commended the initiative for aligning closely with national workforce goals and the Malaysia Madani principles.
“The ESG PIA reflects many of the priorities we are advancing at Kesuma. From Human Rights and Labour Standards to Good Health and Well-being, Talent Management, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, as well as Governance and Transformation, each award recognises organisations that are making a positive difference,” Ramanan said in his speech at Sunway Resort Hotel.
Calling this the Madani principle of Ihsan in action, he added that it embodies ESG’s social pillar by ensuring all workers receive meaningful support regardless of where they earn a living.
SMG group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt, in his welcoming address, said of the winners: “They have embraced ESG principles and demonstrated how responsible business practices can create lasting value for shareholders, employees, communities and future generations alike.
“We (SMG) are proud to say that the awards this evening are part of a larger, cross-border agenda.
“SMG understands that ESG concerns are not constrained by national borders.
“As such, we have played our part in raising regional ESG awareness efforts as a member of the Asia ESG Positive Impact Consortium (A-EPIC).”
Together with SMG, A-EPIC’s other founding members Media Group of Kompas Gramedia (KG Media) of Indonesia and the Inquirer Group of Companies (IGC) of the Philippines also honoured their own outstanding ESG leaders yesterday through the Lestari Awards and the Inquirer ESG Edge Impact Awards, respectively.
A short broadcast of the ceremonies was aired live across all three venues, along with a joint welcome message from Chan, KG Media chief executive officer Andy Budiman and Inquirer Interactive Inc chair Sandy P. Romualdez.
Raising industry standards
TM chief corporate officer Nor Fadhilah Mohd Ali said award winners can use this recognition as a springboard to scale proven initiatives, strengthen credibility and build new partnerships that extend their impact, while inspiring other organisations to take similar action.
“For TM, the most meaningful aspect of supporting the ESG PIA is the opportunity to further advance Malaysia’s sustainability agenda through a platform that recognises impactful ESG initiatives, shares proven practices and inspires wider participation across industries.
“We believe our responsibility extends beyond managing sustainability within our own operations to leveraging our digital infrastructure, technological capabilities and partnerships to advance meaningful progress for communities, businesses and the nation,” she said in a statement.
IJM Land chief operating officer Datuk Chai Kian Soon said it has been most meaningful seeing the ESG PIA recognise both SMEs and large corporations that are demonstrating exemplary sustainable business practices.
“By celebrating leadership and positive impact, the Awards encourage more businesses to strengthen their ESG practices and help raise standards across the business community.
“At IJM Rimbayu, sustainability has long guided the way we plan and develop our communities.
“We are proud to support a platform that shares our belief that recognising achievement today inspires even greater progress tomorrow.
“Congratulations to all the award recipients on your outstanding achievements in advancing ESG excellence,” said Chai in a statement.
Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Maria Angela A. Ponce, who graced the event, noted that she witnessed the partnership among the three media groups from its very conception and praised how ESG awareness has grown, participation diversified and industries benefiting from the regional knowledge exchange.
“Local action must be both supported and inspired by regional collaboration. Through this consortium, our industries – from small and medium enterprises to large companies – benefit by learning from each other and emulating best practices.”
Benchmark of excellence
YTY Group chairman and chief executive officer Vikram Hora commended the ESG PIA for spotlighting sustainability efforts of non-publicly traded businesses.
“It’s very encouraging when a company like SMG, with the kind of platform and influence that they have, is able to find these stories, recognise companies like us and encourage us to keep moving forward on this journey.
“We’re very delighted with this award tonight and it inspires us to continue our journey of excellence,” said Vikram.
Emphasising that the company’s ESG focus centres heavily on social compliance and protecting the rights of its workforce, Vikram noted that its core ESG initiatives revolve around social compliance and fair labour practices, particularly for its migrant workers.
HeveaPac Sdn Bhd founder and executive director Peh Ju Chai described the honour as validation for a decade-long commitment to sustainable manufacturing and employee welfare.
“This confirms that our efforts over the last 10 years have been recognised.
“We’ve taken significant steps, from collecting rainwater and installing advanced dust control to opening an on-site medical clinic and investing RM25mil in a modern, tech-equipped hostel for our foreign workers.”
Highlighting the broader industry impact, Peh added that such platforms are essential for encouraging smaller businesses.
“This award will definitely help SMEs advance their ESG initiatives because everyone can play their part. Companies should participate to learn and understand more,” he said.
The champions from selected categories from ESG PIA 2025, Lestari Awards and the Inquirer ESG Edge Impact Awards will go on to represent their countries in the regional Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards this November.
