Kolej Vokasional Batu Lanchang students accompanied by Mohd Lutfi (white shirt) being briefed at a booth at the Sustainability and ESG Conference 2023 in Bayan Baru, Penang. — Photos: LIM BENG TATT/The Star
Those attending the inaugural Sustainability and ESG Conference 2023 in Bayan Baru, Penang, received eye-opening information on Malaysia’s green journey.
Among the visitors were 23 electronics and electrical engineering students from Kolej Vokasional Batu Lanchang, Jelutong.
Lecturer Mohammad Lutfi Mohamad Zin said his group benefitted greatly from visiting the event held at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre.
“Here, they can get information on companies that have implemented ESG (environmental, social and governance) practices.
“Some of the students will be joining these companies for training, so they can see for themselves if they are a good fit,” he said.
The one-day event, comprising panel discussions with leaders in the electronics and related industries, offered an opportunity for attendees to learn what ESG practices work for them.
It was jointly organised by Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA) and Electrical and Electronics Productivity Nexus (EEPN) under the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC).
Organising chairman Datuk P’ng Soo Hong said the purpose of the conference was to help identify best practices which could be utilised elsewhere.
“We provide this opportunity for others to learn from our best practices.
“We want people to see what is applicable and take it back to their workplace,” he said.
P’ng said the event received overwhelming response from industry players nationwide.
Students from vocational colleges were also invited to gain exposure.
MPC deputy director-general Dr Mazrina Mohamed Ibramsah said the government was serious about economic and environmental balance.
The 12th Malaysia Plan’s theme, “A Prosperous, Inclusive, Sustainable Malaysia”, showed the focus was on the green transition to be globally competitive, she said in her speech.
“The responsibility, however, is not on the government alone.
“The private sector, academia and the community are also important in building a sustainable nation,” she added.
MSIA president Datuk Seri Wong Siew Hai spoke on the crucial balancing act between economic growth and environmental protection.
“There is a need to establish a sustainable environment while also taking into consideration products, processes, people and economic progress,” he stated.
He said Malaysia was still in the infancy stages of ESG and faced multi-faceted hurdles.
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“The main challenge remains the need for wider understanding of the long-term benefits of sustainability and ESG practices,” he noted.
The green journey entailed investments and potential disruption of existing processes, said Wong, while lack of green talent and technical expertise hindered the shift.
He called on businesses to play their part in sustainable nation-building.
“We must move beyond short-term profit maximisation and embrace sustainability to holistically contribute to a better quality of life.
“Sustainability must be seen as an investment into the future, not an additional cost to businesses,” he said.
