The fifth edition of The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards saw the highest number of public listed companies (PLCs) in the running, mirroring the growing adoption of ESG in Malaysia despite a challenging market environment.

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Editor’s note

IOI Properties Group Bhd (KL:IOIPG) emerged as the gold winner in the Best of the Best category at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2026, the fifth edition of the awards.

New feeder and non-feeder fund awards introduced to build local fund house capacity

MGB Bhd (KL:MGB) has won Best Performing Company by Sector for construction at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2026, a recognition that comes as the group lifts its ESG rating and maintains a clean workplace safety record across a widening set of operations.

MGB records zero fatalities and work-related injuries across eight million man-hours worked

Bermaz Auto Bhd (KL:BAUTO) has been named Best Performing Company by Sector for consumer products and services at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2026, a recognition that follows a year in which the group extended its sustainability efforts across its supply chain.

Bermaz Auto extends sustainability across its supply chain

For the second year running, Wasco Bhd (KL:WASCO) has taken home the award for Best Performing Company by Sector for energy at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2026.

Wasco continues to evolve to deliver secure, reliable and affordable energy

First-time winner RCE Capital Bhd (KL:RCECAP) is one of two firms named Best Performing Company by Sector for financial services at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2026.

RCE Capital garners first award win with strong ESG governance and greater team engagement

Tune Protect Group Bhd (KL:TUNEPRO) is one of two companies to take home the award for Best Performing Company by Sector for financial services at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2026.

Identifying and managing climate-related risks central to Tune Protect’s value creation

VS Industry Bhd, which is named Best Performing Company by Sector for industrial products & services at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2026 for the second consecutive year, has been stepping up the integration of ESG considerations into its operations and business planning.

VS Industry earns second straight win

SD Guthrie Bhd (KL:SDG) has continued to strengthen its sustainability efforts through the implementation of its Beyond Zero framework, which focuses on emissions reduction, nature restoration and social impact, leading to its win at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2026 in the plantation sector.

SD Guthrie achieves record traceability, eyes further gains in responsible sourcing

SkyWorld Development Bhd (KL:SKYWLD), a two-time winner at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards, has taken home the award for Best Performing Company by Sector for property at the 2026 edition.

SkyWorld to integrate more efficient building solutions across future developments

CapitaLand Malaysia Trust (KL:CLMT) has emerged as a winner in the real estate investment trusts (REIT) category at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2026. Yong Su-Lin, CEO at CapitaLand Malaysia REIT Management (manager of CLMT), says the company’s proudest achievement is achieving 100% green building certification ahead of its 2030 target.

CapitaLand obtains 100% green building certification for operationally controlled retail assets

ViTrox Corp Bhd (KL:VITROX) has won the Best Performing Company by Sector award for technology at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2026.

ViTrox keeps sustainability in step with growth

For Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd (KL:ASTRO), ESG is not only about reducing its environmental footprint or strengthening corporate governance, but also how responsibly the media company uses its platforms, content and influence to create a positive social impact.

Astro uses the power of content to drive positive impact

For MISC Bhd (KL:MISC), the transition to lower-carbon shipping is no longer only a long-term ambition. In 2025, the maritime and energy group reduced its fleet greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 36% from its 2008 baseline, putting it on track to meeting its target of a 50% reduction by 2030.

MISC charts lower-carbon course with tangible gains

India’s central bank raised interest rates for the first time in nearly four years and signaled further hikes may be on the table as accelerating inflation and a weakening currency drive a policy pivot.

RBI signals further rate hikes as price pressures intensify

Asian stocks were poised for declines, tracking moves on Wall Street as elevated oil prices continued to stoke inflation concerns. Equity-index futures for Japan, Australia and South Korea pointed to a second day of declines for a regional stock gauge

Asian stocks to dip as oil fuels inflation worries

Oil edged higher after a report that the White House asked the Pentagon to draw up strike options against Iran that could be executed before the midterm elections, and as a storm shut some US output.

Oil edges higher on Iran strike options report and storm impact

A record-breaking run in stocks hit a wall as still-elevated oil prices stoked concerns that potential inflationary pressures could trigger Federal Reserve interest-rate hikes.

Stocks fall from all-time highs on inflation worry

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

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

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.

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

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

Bursa Malaysia Securities has dismissed MMM Group Bhd’s (KL:MMM) appeal against the rejection of its proposed regularisation plan, paving the way for the company to be delisted on Oct 12.

MMM Group to be delisted on Oct 12 as Bursa Malaysia dismisses appeal

British 30-year bond yields rose to a 28-year high on Wednesday as a global bond sell-off pushed equivalent US borrowing costs to their highest since 2002, adding to pressure on finance minister John Healey before his first budget in three weeks' time.

UK 30-year gilt yields hit 28-year high in global sell-off

Retail prices for unsubsidised petrol will increase by 15 sen from Oct 8 to Oct 14 as Brent crude oil hovers around US$100 per barrel despite the recovery of crude oil flows from West Asia.

Unsubsidised petrol up 15 sen from Oct 8, diesel prices stay

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the fifth Madani&nbsp;budget is based on a clear resolve to strengthen the nation’s economy and translate growth into a better life for the people.

Anwar: Budget 2027 based on 'clear resolve' to strengthen economy, translate growth into better life

The Ministry of Human Resources (MOHR) has initiated intervention measures to protect the rights and assist 372 workers of CJ Bio Malaysia Sdn Bhd affected by the closure of the company's plant in Kerteh, Terengganu, from Oct 15.

CJ Bio plant closure: Intervention measures taken to protect rights of workers, says MOHR

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.

The additional tax claim against Tenaga Nasional Bhd (KL:TENAGA) will not&nbsp;result&nbsp;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

Lighting solutions provider Speedy Best Holdings Bhd, which also manufactures and sells steel poles and provides smart city solutions, is planning an ACE Market listing to raise funds for capacity expansion and to further develop its proprietary platform that uses artificial intelligence for smart city management.

Speedy Best plans ACE Market IPO to raise funds for capacity expansion

Enterprise IT services provider Ancile Tech Bhd has filed its draft prospectus for an initial public offering (IPO) on the ACE Market, as it seeks funds to set up an in-house network operations centre (NOC) and security operations centre (SOC), and expand its business beyond northern Peninsular Malaysia.

IT solutions provider Ancile Tech files draft prospectus for ACE Market listing to fund business expansion

ACE Market-listed Aemulus Holdings Bhd (KL:AEMULUS) has secured new orders worth US$3.86 million (RM15.77 million) from an undisclosed Singapore customer for test systems used in the data centre and artificial intelligence (AI) market.

Aemulus secures RM15.8m orders for data centre, AI test systems from Singapore customer

The Nasdaq and the S&amp;P 500 eased from record highs on Wednesday as Treasury yields and oil prices rebounded, keeping investors cautious as they awaited the minutes of the Federal Reserve's September meeting.

Nasdaq, S&P 500 slip from record highs as yields and oil rebound

The Ministry of Finance (MOF) is finalising&nbsp;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

LONDON/MILAN (Oct 7):&nbsp;Traders have turned more discerning following a bond market rout, dumping the debt of European countries they deem the riskiest and rushing to safe-haven Germany.

The moves highlight a new hierarchy in the ever-evolving rankings of ​European debt.

Fr...

Investors pick new darlings and duds as selloff rocks Europe's bond market

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.

The interest rate on the most common US home loan jumped last week to its highest in almost three years, worsening affordability for buyers four weeks before elections that will decide if President Donald Trump's Republicans keep control of Congress.

US 30-year mortgage rate hits highest in nearly three years

Transit routes in the Strait of Hormuz deemed illegal by Iran will soon be closed, an adviser to the Revolutionary Guards' Commander told the semi-official Fars News Agency on Wednesday, referring to the southern pathway hugging Oman's coast.

The Edge ESG Awards 2026

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The Edge ESG Awards 2026

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