The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2024 was significant, thanks to the wider range of public listed companies (PLCs) in the fray and new award categories.

Editor’s note

As the pressure for businesses to adopt ESG continues, the private sector and investors play a crucial role in the transition towards a low carbon economy, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2024.

Driving decarbonisation through innovation and resilience

The biggest winner in the PLC category was Vitrox Corporation Bhd (KL:VITROX), which took home two gold awards for being the best performer in the technology sector and for the most improved ESG performance over a three-year period for companies with a market capitalisation of over RM5 billion.

Emerging star award introduced to recognise best new performers

George Kent (M) Bhd’s (KL:GKENT) dedication to sustainability has been rewarded with a gold win in the construction category of The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2024.

George Kent bags gold in construction sector

MGB Bhd (KL: MGB) has won the silver award in the construction category for the second year in a row at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2024.

MGB Bhd wins silver award two years in a row

The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2024 sees first-time winner Karex Bhd (KL:KAREX) taking home gold for being the best performer in the consumer products and services sector. Its CEO Goh Miah Kiat attributes the win to the company shifting away from its reliance on migrant workers, having frozen the hiring of new migrant workers since 2019.

Karex Bhd focuses on hiring and retaining local talent

Nestlé (M) Bhd (KL:NESTLE), which emerged as a silver award winner in the consumer products and services sector at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2024, has been championing initiatives such as its Project Save that manage post-consumer waste, emphasise plastic neutrality and drive the transition towards a circular economy.

Nestlé Malaysia champions the circular economy

For the second year running, Deleum Bhd (KL:DELEUM) has emerged as the gold winner in the energy sector at The Edge Mal...

Deleum prioritises ESG principles to drive operational efficiency

Wasco Bhd (KL:WASCO) has won two silver awards in The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2024, for best  performer in the energy sector and most improved ESG performance over three years for companies with a market cap between RM800 million and RM5 billion.

Wasco aims for responsible and sustainable practices

CIMB Group (KL:CIMB) took home the gold award in the financial services category at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2024. The company attributed the win to its focus on finding ways to systematically create synergy across its value chain.

CIMB sees sustainable finance from an ecosystem perspective

Allianz Malaysia Bhd (KL:ALLIANZ) won the silver award in the financial services sector at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2024. This is thanks to the company’s team spirit and the commitment of its stakeholders, namely the board, senior management and operational managers.

Sustainability more than just a tick in the box for Allianz

For the second year in a row, Duopharma Biotech Bhd (KLSE:DPHARMA) has won gold in the healthcare sector at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2024. Group managing director Leonard Ariff Abdul Shatar says one of the achievements he is proudest of is the progress made in the company’s climate action efforts.

Duopharma gets closer to net zero goals

For Hartalega Holdings Bhd (KL:HARTA), which emerged as the silver winner in The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2024 healthcare category, a significant milestone in 2024 was becoming the first in the glove industry to announce third-party reviewed carbon footprint data for three of its core products. This has set a new industry ESG benchmark.

Hartalega sets new industry benchmark

Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd (KL:PCHEM) has won the silver award in the industrial products and services category at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2024.

PetChem drives innovations in plastics circularity

Zetrix AI Bhd (KL:ZETRIX) has confirmed that it owes the Road Transport Department (JPJ) RM314 million in unremitted collections between May and September 2026, and said the liability has been recognised as a payable on its balance sheet.

Zetrix AI confirms RM314m JPJ arrears after Bursa demands direct answer

HSBC said on Wednesday consultations were underway, after the Financial Times (FT) reported that hundreds of jobs were at risk from the bank's adoption of artificial intelligence (AI).

UK unit job cuts: HSBC says 'consultations' underway amid AI adoption

The holding company of Canada's Weston family has agreed to buy British health and beauty retailer Boots from private equity firm Sycamore Partners and the Pessina family for US$8.9 billion (RM36.4 billion), including debt, it said on Wednesday.

Canada's Weston family buys UK pharmacy chain Boots for US$8.9 bil

The International Energy Agency's (IEA) member countries stand ready to release additional oil from their strategic reserves if necessary and will prioritise diesel due to tight supplies of the fuel, the head of the IEA said on Wednesday.

IEA says member countries ready to release more oil reserves if necessary

The government is reviewing a formal agreement with Dapat Vista Sdn Bhd, the company that operates the eJamin system for online payment of court bail, before submitting it to the Cabinet soon.

eJamin: Govt reviewing formal agreement with Dapat Vista before presenting it to Cabinet

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin is disputing the auditor general’s projection that the first of the long-delayed littoral combat ship (LCS1) would only achieve full operational readiness by December 2035.

Defence Minister disputes AG's 2035 readiness projection for long-delayed combat ships

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

Yinson, Northern Solar, Aemulus, Datasonic, CIMB, AMMB, PJBumi, MMM Group

The Ministry of Finance (MOF) is finalising a proposal to enact the Statutory Bodies and Controlled Entities (Financial Governance) Act to strengthen the governance of government-owned companies.

MOF finalising proposed law to strengthen governance of govt-owned companies

Malaysia still faces RM20.1 billion in outstanding obligations related to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) if no additional funds are recovered, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

Govt still has to bear RM20.1b 1MDB burden if no further funds recovered — MOF

The additional tax claim against Tenaga Nasional Bhd (KL:TENAGA) will not result in the cost being passed on to consumers through electricity tariff hikes, said the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

TNB's additional tax claim not passed on to consumers via tariffs, says MOF

CIMB Group Holdings Bhd (KL:CIMB), Malaysia’s second-largest lender by assets, fell to its lowest in three months as banking stocks fell amid persistent concerns over rising bond yields.

Malaysian banking stocks fall as JPMorgan downgrades CIMB, AMMB

Two corporate figures, who are brothers holding the titles of Datuk Seri and Datuk Wira respectively and who were previously remanded for five days to assist investigations into&nbsp;abuse of power and irregularities involving an investment of about RM10 million, have been released on Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) bail.

RM10m investment probe: Datuk Seri, Datuk Wira brothers out on MACC bail

The first witness for the Federal Land Development Authority conceded in High Court on Wednesday that competing bidders for the agency's prime land along Jalan Semarak were not owned by Synergy Promenade Sdn Bhd shareholder and director Abdul Rahman Soltan, after initially suggesting otherwise.

Felda fraud suit: Witness admits rival bidders for Jalan Semarak land not owned by Synergy Promenade director

PEN SJ Electronics Sdn Bhd has pledged to invest over US$70 million (RM286.1 million) to establish an advanced packaging materials and thermal management solutions facility in Penang, which is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs.

China firm to invest over US$70m in Penang, create more than 1,000 jobs — CM

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 7): FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI extended its downward trend on Wednesday, falling to an 11-month low as persistent foreign selling and cautious sentiment amid elevated oil prices continued to weigh on the local market.

FBM KLCI slides to nearly a year low as foreign selling, high oil prices weigh on sentiment

The appeal records in former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's 1Malaysia Development Bhd-Tanore (1MDB-Tanore) criminal case are still not ready.

1MDB-Tanore: Appeal records not ready

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 7): The High Court on Wednesday has asked Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to reconsider whether it wants to continue pursuing its stay application of having to pay RM1.3 million in damages to a retired senior police officer and his wife, over their home being badly damaged after DBKL had allowed the construction of a condominium nearby.

KL City Hall told to reconsider continuing with stay order application over having to pay RM1.3 mil damages

The KLIA aerotrain will undergo a scheduled software upgrade to strengthen its operational robustness and long-term performance following the completion of 20,000 continuous operational hours.

KLIA to shut down aerotrain for software upgrade

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 7): The 10 Negeri Sembilan executive councilors have filed an originating summons (OS) at the Seremban High Court to challenge the revocation of their appointments, which took effect on Sept 20.

All deposed Negeri Sembilan excos file suit challenging their expulsion

Police have arrested seven people, including several foreigners, in connection with&nbsp;the theft of 2.5kg of jewellery worth over RM1.7 million from a shopping mall in Genting Highlands, Bentong, in August.

Seven arrested over RM1.7 mil jewellery heist in Genting Highlands

Pasir Gudang member of parliament Hassan Abdul Karim urges the government to reject any bailout request from airlines as taxpayers should not bear the cost of rescuing a private company.

Govt should not bail out troubled airlines, says Pasir Gudang MP

ACCESS to Arm’s Compute Subsystem (CSS) would lower the technological barrier for Oppstar Bhd (KL:OPPSTAR) to develop an advanced chip.

But an Arm token is not an instant earnings booster, Oppstar’s senior executives acknowledge in an interview with The Edge.

Its chief operati...

Arm CSS gives Oppstar a head start, not a shortcut to earnings

The 16th Melaka election will be held on Nov 14, the Election Commission (EC) announced after a special meeting on Wednesday.

Melaka polls on Nov 14

Datasonic Group Bhd (KL:DATASONIC) has terminated its proposed RM28.5 million acquisition of an industrial property in Petaling Jaya after a condition precedent requiring approval from the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia was not fulfilled.

Datasonic axes RM28 mil property deal after Fire Dept condition unmet

Malaysia’s palm oil production for this year is meeting projections and could even surpass 2025’s record level despite risks from the Super El Niño, Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said.

Malaysia’s 2026 palm oil output could surpass last year's, says commodities minister

SEPANG (Oct 7): Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Malaysia on Wednesday for a two-day official visit, with the repatriation of Myanmar nationals in Malaysia among key issues to be discussed with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Myanmar president arrives in Malaysia, repatriation among key issues

FOR years, Oppstar Bhd (KL:OPPSTAR) was mainly confined to designing chips for others.

Now, the Penang-based integrated circuit (IC) design house wants to broaden its business scope, becoming a turnkey service provider in the IC chip industry. On top of that, Oppstar intends to tape out...

Oppstar’s ‘2.0’ push: From contracted chip designer to turnkey service provider

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 7): theedgemalaysia.com highlighted six stocks with negative momentum at Bursa Malaysia’s afternoon close on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Stocks with momentum on Oct 7, 2026: Adventa, Careplus, Comfort Gloves, Supermax, Top Glove & United U-LI

Temasek International’s investment chief highlighted the potential for the artificial intelligence (AI) trade to reverse and inflation pushing up bond rates to a point that may end the runup for equities as top risks facing global markets heading into next year.

Temasek chief investment officer says AI, inflation pose biggest market risks in 2027

HSBC said on Wednesday consultations were underway, after the Financial Times&nbsp;(FT) reported that hundreds of jobs were at risk from the bank's adoption of artificial intelligence (AI).

The Edge ESG Awards 2024

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The Edge ESG Awards 2024

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