This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on December 12, 2022 - December 18, 2022

The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards aim to celebrate excellence among Malaysian public-listed companies and asset management firms. Therefore, it is only apt that the trophy embraces the concept of sustainability and celebrates local heritage.

The Edge Malaysia commissioned Royal Selangor, a local institution founded in Malaya in 1885, to design and make the trophy. The company is a well-known producer of pewter products, and its bespoke trophies have been used to commemorate events such as Formula One in Malaysia, Singapore and China.

The trophy was designed and crafted by Royal Selangor’s team of designers and craftspeople, who adopted a modern exterior and mixed-media approach using solid pewter and timber. Each material used in the trophy is symbolic, according to the company.

The solid pewter block is sandwiched between two timber structures. The pewter represents companies that have grown to become successful leaders in their respective fields and industries. The timber panels reflect the balance between profits and good business practices, which give companies an edge over others.

At 28cm tall, the trophy has a satin finish and the woodwork has a clear finish that accentuates the wood grains.

The pewter is sourced exclusively from Malaysia Smelting Corp Bhd, which is listed as a conformant smelter by the Responsible Minerals Initiative. Meanwhile, the timber is sourced and produced in compliance with the sustainability requirements under the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), which is an international non-profit dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management through independent third-party certification. PEFC ensures timber and non-timber forest materials are produced according to ecological, social and ethical standards.

On the other hand, as a well-respected local arts institution, Royal Selangor has put in a lot of effort to support artists in Malaysia over the years. Since 2003, for instance, the company has been sponsoring the Piala Seri Endon in support of Malaysian batik and batik-making talents. The Piala Seri Endon is an annual batik design competition named after the late Tun Endon Mahmood, the first wife of Malaysia’s fifth prime minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. She was notable for promoting batik.

Royal Selangor also showcases the beauty of batik through its Batik and Gembira collections. Its lifestyle, homeware and accessories are infused with batik motifs, such as the zigzag pucuk rebung (bamboo shoot patterns), lush pohon bunga (flowering tree motif) and understated vintage forms.

The company is also stepping up its efforts to be more compliant with environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. For instance, it has eliminated plastic foam from its packaging. It also looks into its old inventory before sourcing new components when crafting products. Through modern prototyping, the company can melt down old pewter prototypes and use the material to make new ones.

Royal Selangor has the goal of sourcing its components and raw materials locally to reduce the environmental impact of transporting and importing materials from overseas. In addition, it has transitioned to producing and using solar energy under the Net Energy Metering Scheme. Through the scheme, it is able to export excess solar energy back to the national grid. The photovoltaic solar panels adorn the roofs of Royal Selangor’s factory, offices and visitor centre.

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