THE inaugural Star Media Group ESG Positive Impact Awards 2022 (ESG PIA 2022) saw 60 awards given out to 100 companies for driving positive change and inspiring others in the country to embrace sustainability.
The awards across 15 categories were presented to the winners at the ESG PIA 2022 gala night on June 8 at M Resort & Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
The ESG PIA, which honours remarkable initiatives within the environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspect, was made possible by OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Bhd (OCBC Bank) and Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM).
The submissions were evaluated by a panel of judges based on a set criteria across three ESG pillars.
Geomax won Gold in Responsible Consumption and Production under the Environment pillar on top of the Outstanding ESG Initiative for SMEs to Mid-Tier.
The ESG PIA embodies a collective commitment to creating a more sustainable and equitable Malaysia, and a recognition of companies which have done the work to make a tangible impact on society and the environment.
The inaugural awards also saw Geomax Rubber Innovative Products Sdn Bhd and Heineken Malaysia Bhd pick up the award for “The Most Outstanding ESG Initiatives of The Year” for the “SME to mid-tier” and “large companies” categories respectively.
Supporting sustainable values
As the main sponsor of the ESG Positive Impact Awards, OCBC Bank congratulated all the winners on their achievements in their pursuit of sustainability.
“As financiers, we actively seek to enable the creation and adoption of ground-breaking solutions that are not only economically viable, but also environmentally and socially sustainable in their contribution towards nation building over the longer term,” said OCBC Bank chief executive officer Tan Chor Sen.
“To deliver on our own sustainability and climate commitments, we must encourage all our stakeholders, especially our customers, to strengthen the management of material ESG factors within their businesses,” Tan added.
He continued by saying that recognition works wonders for “ensuring the desired posture continues to be held, and then bettered”.
Besides the award for Outstanding ESG Initiative for Large Companies, Heineken won Gold twice, one for Waste Management and the other for Innovative Partnership.
He added that the ESG PIA represents a prime platform for promoting sustainability through recognising the good that companies are currently doing.
“That aside, the part played by role models should never be underestimated. We believe that by bringing those who have done well in ESG to the fore, others will have a solid foundation to work from.
“Through our shared experiences we will be able to build and uplift each other.
“And, along the way, we will be sounding the clarion call for even more companies to join us in this sustainability journey,” he emphasised.
(From left) Wang, Tan, Renuka, Mohamad Razif and Yeow celebrating Heineken winning the Most Outstanding ESG Initiative Award for Large Companies.
OCBC Bank also sees the awards as a way to influence other businesses and industries to adopt ESG practices and contribute to a more sustainable future no matter the size of the organisation.
“This is all about setting the right agenda.
“As more and more companies begin to witness the emergence of peers who are getting it right in the ESG space, they will find themselves compelled to do what is right,” said Tan.
“The more we talk about what is good, the better the chance we have of ensuring the desired agenda stays in the minds of our key audiences.
“While larger corporations may lead the way in charting their transition journeys, the awards also showcased SMEs’ diversity in innovative efforts across industries and sustainable focus areas.
“This should spur more emerging enterprises to develop new products and services in carrying out their crucial role as changemakers or disruptors, providing impetus for climate action at scale,” he noted.
Tan also shared words of advice for businesses looking to start sustainable initiatives by using the success of the winners of ESG PIA as an anchoring point.
(From left) Wang, Tan, Ng, Mohamad Razif, Yeow and Tengku Muneer as Geomax was conferred the Most Outstanding ESG Initiative Award for SMEs to Mid-Tier.
“Often, companies aren’t sure where to start. And sometimes there is not enough of an internal push to get things going.
“The ESG PIA help point those who are new to the journey in the right direction to look to those who have done well and to emulate them,” Tan said encouragingly.
Meanwhile, co-sponsor TM also lauded the winners during the gala night.
TM chief corporate and regulatory officer Tengku Muneer Tengku Muzani shared that TM, as an organisation dedicated to nation building, has always had sustainability at the heart of what they do.
“Our main goal has always been to make a positive impact on people’s lives while finding a balance between profits and purpose. We not only view sustainability as a moral obligation but also as an opportunity to create value for everyone involved.
“We are determined to incorporate sustainability from every aspect of our core business to the daily practices of our employees,” he said.
(From left) Telekom Malaysia chief corporate and regulatory officer Tengku Muneer Tengku Muzani, Star Media Group Berhad (SMG) chief executive officer Alex Yeow, Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC) Ministry deputy secretary-general (Energy) Datuk Mohamad Razif Abd Mubin, OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Bhd chief executive officer Tan Chor Sen and SMG chief business officer Lydia Wang sharing a light moment during the ESG Positive Impact Awards 2022 Gala Night at M Resort & Hotel Kuala Lumpur. – Photos: IZZRAFIQ ALIAS, RAJA FAISAL HISHAN, SHAARI CHEMAT and AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star
He added TM’s involvement in these awards reflects their support for creating a sustainable and responsible future.
“To further solidify sustainability within our organisation, we have integrated ESG-related Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) throughout our business operations.
“This ensures greater accountability and performance. We aspire to contribute to a brighter future for the rakyat,” he added.
TM also said that the ESG PIA is a great platform for businesses making progress in their sustainability efforts and following the best environmental, social, and governance practices.
Renuka (sixth from left) with the elegantly attired Heineken team.
“When a media organisation like The Star recognises these businesses, it inspires companies of all sizes and from different industries to join in and adopt responsible practices for a better and more sustainable future.
“Nevertheless, establishing a sustainable future needs joint efforts from all parties.
“It is not a race or a competition, but rather a process that requires commitment from various stakeholders and should be implemented in a collaborative manner,” he noted.
He continued saying that being involved in such awards has inspired TM to look closer into their supplier ecosystem, with the Group being another key stakeholder to them.
(From left) Telekom Malaysia chief corporate and regulatory officer Tengku Muneer Tengku Muzani, Star Media Group Berhad (SMG) chief executive officer alex yeow, natural resources, environment and Climate Change (nreCC) Ministry deputy secretary-general (energy) datuk Mohamad razif abd Mubin, OCBC Bank(Malaysia) Bhd chief executive officer Tan Chor Sen and SMG chief business officer Lydia Wang sharing a light moment during the eSG Positive impact awards 2022 Gala night at M resort & Hotel Kuala Lumpur. –Photos: iZZraFiQ aLiaS, raJa FaiSaL HiSHan, SHaari CHeMaT and aZLina aBduLLaH/The Star
“We are working towards further strengthening our supply chain to ensure that they are onboard with us in achieving our ESG commitments.
“We are working closely with our suppliers to train and develop businesses on how they can improve their social and environmental impact.
“This ensures that they can transition towards a sustainable economy while supporting TM’s sustainability aspirations.”
By endorsing these initiatives, OCBC Bank and TM hope the winners will inspire others within their industries and beyond to embrace ESG principles, catalysing a ripple effect of collective effort towards positive transformation.
Outstanding entries
“I will continue to work hard to create more impact and inspire the younger generation,” said Geomax Rubber Innovative Products director Steven Ng.
The company also won Gold in the Responsible Consumption and Production category.
The grand ballroom hosted 100 companies during the ESG PIA 2022.
Besides winning the outstanding awards for the year, Heineken also bagged two Gold awards in the categories of Waste Management and Innovative Partnership.
The brewery’s Corp Affairs and Legal Director Renuka Indrarajah said, “We began with a water project, which is taking care of the water resources behind our brewery and today, our initiatives cut right across our entire value chain.”
She added that Heineken Malaysia was looking at how to minimise its environmental impact and how to make a positive one for the society around them.
The awards was organised to promote Malaysia’s ESG agenda through recognising the role and contributions of outstanding businesses towards a sustainable future.
‘When I started on the ESG journey, nobody believed that the ESG focus or that environment itself were important issues that needed solving,’ says Geomax Rubber Innovative Products Sdn Bhd director Steven Ng.
Through these role models, it hopes to inspire other businesses to consider building, adopting and enhancing their own ESG initiatives – from SMEs to large corporations.
ESG PIA 2022 categories were divided within the three main ESG pillars, with the Environment Awards covering Sustainable Ecosystems, Water Management and Efficiency, Waste Management, Responsible Consumption and Production, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency.
The Social Awards covers Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Relations with Local Communities; Human Rights and Labour Standards; Talent Management; and Good Health and Wellbeing.
The Governance Awards has one category that focuses on Governance, Reporting and Transparency.
There were also three standalone awards that are related to ESG and grouped under Other Awards category and these include Supply Chain Management, Innovative Partnership and Transformation.
Stay tuned this July for more on the ESG PIA 2022. The ESG Positive Impact Awards 2022 was organised by SMG and endorsed by the NRECC ministry with OCBC Bank as main sponsor and TM as co-sponsor.
