In a bid to increase the adoption of environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices among public-listed companies (PLCs), Bursa Malaysia Bhd announced last year that going forward, all PLCs will be automatically given an ESG score by FTSE Russell.

Editor’s note

Companies can no longer get away with a superficial embrace of environment, social and governance (ESG) without understanding or embodying what it means, given that scrutiny on greenwashing is on the rise, said Minister of Natural Res­ources, Environment and Climate Change Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad at ...

Leaders in sustainability honoured at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2023

George Kent (Malaysia) Bhd has won gold at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2023 in the construction sector category, thanks to the integration of ESG principles into its corporate strategy. The focus, says its executive director Bernie C K Ooi, is on environmental stewardship, social responsibility and sound governance.

George Kent persists with sustainability efforts despite challenges

Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd (F&N) won the gold award at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2023 in the consumer products and services sector.

F&N takes a comprehensive approach to sustainability

Navigating the decarbonisation journey as an oil and gas company is tough due to the nature of the business, which is carbon-intensive. Energy services company Deleum Bhd, however, has invested efforts in this area. It bagged the gold award under the energy category at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2023.

Deleum commits to sustainability

For the second year running, Hong Leong Bank Bhd won gold in the financial services sector at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2023. Its group managing director and CEO Kevin Lam says this is a testament to its unwavering commitment to upholding ESG principles.

Hong Leong Bank’s commitment reflected in consecutive wins

Duopharma Biotech Bhd has emerged as the gold winner in the healthcare sector at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2023, thanks in part to the meaningful commitment the company has made to adopt ESG practices.

Duopharma wants ESG to drive business innovation

Datuk Lee Yeow Chor, group managing director and CEO of IOI Corp Bhd, attributes the company’s gold award in The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2023’s plantation category to the team’s dedication and early start on the ESG journey.

IOI Corp moving towards decarbonising its operations

Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd won gold at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2023 in the industrial products and services category and in the green transition sector. This is thanks to the company’s efforts in integrating ESG principles into every aspect of its operations and ingraining these into the company’s DNA and strategy, says its head of group sustainability Ivan Gan.

Press Metal emphasises sustainability governance

Genting Plantations Bhd (GENP) won gold at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2023 under the plantations category, thanks to its sustainability journey that it started nearly three decades ago, says Tan Wee Kok, president and chief operating officer of GENP.

Genting Plantations’ three-decade sustainability journey continues

IOI Properties Group (IOIPG) has embraced ESG as a core component of its business strategy, a move that helped it clinch the gold prize in the property sector at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2023.

Charting a sustainable future: IOI Properties’ ESG journey

Hektar Real Estate Investment Trust emerged as the gold winner in  both the REIT sector and outstanding ESG and dividend return categories of The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2023, thanks to its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint through energy initiatives, which allowed the company to reap both environmental and cost benefits.

ESG ensures sustainable growth of businesses, communities, says Hektar REIT

Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd (MPI) won gold in the technology sector at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2023. This marks the second year in a row it took home the trophy.

MPI repeats win but is not complacent

CelcomDigi Bhd took home the gold award in the telecommunications and media sector at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2023. Joachim Rajaram, its chief corporate affairs officer, attributes the success to the coming together of two established sustainability-minded entities.

CelcomDigi merges two sustainability strategies

The increase in allocation for the Trade Union Affairs Programme (PHEKS) to RM10 million this year underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening trade unions in the country, say union leaders.

Union of Pos Malaysia Bhd Uniformed Staff Peninsular Malaysia (UPUS) president Ismail Ali described the allocation as the highest to date and said it would help produce quality leaders for the future.

Trade unions welcome enhanced govt funding for leadership training and development

The Nasdaq led gains among Wall Street's main indices on Wednesday, as investors cheered streaming giant Netflix's strong quarterly performance and President Donald Trump's multi-billion dollar support to bolster artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.

The benchmark S&P 500 was just shy of surpassing its all-time intra-day high hit in early December.

Nasdaq leads Wall St higher helped by Netflix results, Trump's AI investment plans

Crude palm oil (CPO) futures contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives closed lower on Wednesday, weighed down by concerns over weakening demand from India due to cheaper alternatives, a trader said.

CPO futures close lower on concerns over weakening demand from India

Netflix Inc shares soared to a record high on Wednesday after the streaming giant reported its biggest quarterly subscriber gain in history, buoyed by its first major live sporting events and the return of Squid Game.

The company added 18.9 million customers in the fourth quarter, according to a shareholder letter on Tuesday.

Netflix shares soar to record following huge gain in subscribers

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) crippled a vape smuggling syndicate operating at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Cargo Centre; its activities resulted in an estimated RM8 million tax loss.

MACC busts KLIA vape smuggling syndicate, 14 arrested, RM8 million unpaid taxes

The Kedah state government is terminating the contractor's services for the Sungai Limau Water Treatment Plant project in Baling because the contractor failed to complete the project within the set timeframe.

Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said all government projects must adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and regulations stipulated by law.

Kedah fires water treatment plant project contractor over delay

Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Wednesday

Sunway, CapitaLand Malaysia Trust, Sentral REIT, AME REIT, Jentayu, Power Root 

Guns may have fallen silent in Gaza, but for Mahmoud Abu Dalfa, the agony is not over. He is desperately searching for the bodies of his wife and five children trapped under the rubble of his house since the early months of the war.

Abu Dalfa's wife and children were among 35 of his extended family who were killed when an Israeli airstrike hit the building in Gaza City's Shejaia suburb in December 2023, he said.

Bereaved Gazans dig out bodies from city ruins, give them graves

All travel agencies, particularly Umrah operators, must have a bank guarantee of RM250,000 to ensure the quality of the services offered and safeguard the welfare of pilgrims.

Malaysia Association Tour Agency (Mata) president Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khalid Harun said this is in line with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture’s (Motac) proposal to require Umrah operators to possess a minimum bank guarantee of RM250,000.

Travel agencies must have bank guarantee of RM250,000 to operate — Malaysia Association Tour Agency

The Selangor government will hold the 2025 Chinese New Year state-level celebration on Feb 8 at the Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple grounds in Jenjarom here.

State Investment, Trade and Mobility Committee chairman Ng Sze Han said the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, and the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, are scheduled to grace the event, which is expected to attract over 30,000 visitors.

Selangor state-level CNY celebration in Jenjarom on Feb 8

Malaysia's currency hit a six-week high and stocks advanced for a fourth straight session on Wednesday ahead of a central bank policy decision, while a gauge of emerging Asian equities reversed course weighed by China on US tariff plans.

Ringgit extends gains as BNM holds rates; China stocks drag 

Arina, Sime Darby Property Bhd’s (KL:SIMEPROP) first single-storey linked homes in Bandar Ainsdale, achieved full take-up of all 118 units within hours of its launch on Saturday, Jan 18.

Sime Darby Property’s Arina single-storey homes in Bandar Ainsdale fully taken up within hours of launch

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 22): TechStore Bhd, which provides hardware and software to businesses, has fixed its initial public offering (IPO) price at 20 sen per share ahead of its listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia.

Enterprise hardware and software firm TechStore sets IPO price at 20 sen

Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Bhd (EXIM Bank) has filed a lawsuit against instant coffee manufacturer Power Root Bhd (KL:PWROOT), seeking RM7.39 million over an alleged loan default.

According to Power Root’s filing with Bursa Malaysia on Wednesday, EXIM Bank is demanding repayment of RM675,509.22 for funds disbursed to its subsidiaries, namely Power Root (M) Sdn Bhd (PRM), Power Root Manufacturing Sdn Bhd (PRMFG) and Power Root ME Free Zone Company (PRME).

Power Root sued by EXIM Bank over RM7.4 mil loan default

HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd has officially opened its flagship wealth centre in&nbsp;Menara IQ at the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX), Malaysia’s international financial hub,&nbsp;to serve its high-net-worth clients.

HSBC Malaysia opens flagship wealth centre at TRX to serve high-net-worth clients

Analysts are positive on Sunway Real Estate Investment Trust’s (KL:SUNREIT) acquisition of AEON Mall Seri Manjung in Perak, prompting revisions of their earnings forecasts.

Analysts raise Sunway REIT earnings forecasts after AEON Mall acquisition in Perak

SRC International Sdn Bhd’s former director Datuk Suboh Md Yasin told the High Court on Wednesday that he signed four blank cheques that led to RM19.5 million going to Umno and Umno Selangor.

Former SRC director says he signed blank cheques, didn’t know payments were to Umno

A fugitive banker accused of orchestrating a US$1 billion (RM4.45 billion) fraud in Moldova appears to be helping Russian lenders and businesses to continue conducting foreign trade amid payment problems caused by sanctions.

Fugitive banker may be helping Russian firms beat US sanctions

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 22): Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) on Wednesday kept the benchmark interest rate unchanged as widely expected, comfortable with its outlook for sustained economic growth and manageable inflation.

BNM keeps OPR steady, takes comfort in sustained growth

The public portion of ACE Market-bound Northern Solar Holdings Bhd’s initial public offering (IPO) has been oversubscribed by 73.2&nbsp;times.&nbsp;

Northern Solar's IPO oversubscribed by 73.2 times

Datuk Seri Najib Razak denies seeking royalties from the Middle East to help stepson Riza Aziz over his alleged entanglement with 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) funds, the court heard on Wednesday.

Najib says stepson was already servicing loan from Emerati prince, phone call only to formalise agreement

The&nbsp;industrial subsector&nbsp;is expected to continue&nbsp;its positive trend&nbsp;in 2025,&nbsp;according to&nbsp;Henry Butcher Malaysia&nbsp;chief operating officer Tang Chee Meng. The Henry Butcher Perspective — Malaysia Property Outlook 2025 report, which was&nbsp;launched&nbsp;on Wednesday, noted that&nbsp;the&nbsp;volume of industrial transactions in the first nine months of 2024 (9M2024)&nbsp;increased by 6.5%, while the value rose 22.8%.

Henry Butcher: Malaysia's industrial subsector to continue strong performance

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 22): Mah Sing Group Bhd’s (KL:MAHSING) proposed acquisition of land in Sentul, its first deal of the year, is being done at fair and attractive&nbsp;valuations, analysts said.

Mah Sing's first land deal in 2025 is fair and attractive, analysts say

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak claimed that he was being prosecuted for "being transparent" on how he spent the purported donation from the Middle East.

The now-imprisoned 71-year-old, said that he could have easily utilised the donation monies in the form of cash but did not do so and specifically used cheques because he knew it would be documented.

1MDB-Tanore trial: Najib denies abusing funds, says used cheques to be 'transparent'

President Donald Trump faces a host of headwinds that could thwart his ability to generate a boom for the US economy, according to Harvard University professor Ken Rogoff.

Trump’s plan to trigger boom risks coming undone, Rogoff warns

Malaysia’s international reserves fell by US$700 million by mid-January this year, from a fortnight earlier, according to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).

BNM: Malaysia’s international reserves down to US$115.5b as at mid-January

Datuk Seri Najib Razak said he did not interfere with the attorney general’s (AG) prosecutorial discretion while he was prime minister.&nbsp;

Najib claims he was mindful not to interfere in AG's prosecutions 

GEORGE TOWN (Jan 22): Penang International Airport recorded 51.43% higher year-on-year tourist arrivals from India in 2024, reflecting the state government's successful tourism strategies in this market.&nbsp;

Penang Int’l Airport records 51.43% higher tourist arrival from India in 2024

Inflation in Malaysia eased slightly and was marginally slower than expected in December as prices of non-food items and services rose at a more moderate pace, official data released on Wednesday showed.

Malaysia’s inflation in December slows as non-food price pressure eases, official data shows

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 22): The risk of overbuilding of residential properties would become more apparent in the coming years, particularly in high-growth cities, according to JLL Appraisal &amp; Property Services Sdn Bhd (JLL Malaysia).

The Edge ESG Awards 2023

‌
‌

The Edge ESG Awards 2023

‌‌

‌
‌