This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on October 28, 2024 - November 3, 2024

Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) (KL:TM) was awarded the silver prize for the best performer in the telecommunications and media sector at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2024.

TM has achieved several milestones, such as creating over 8,000 public WiFi sites and attaining 3.1 million home and micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) subscribers.

This is in line with its mission to become a digital powerhouse and to build a digital Malaysia, where connectivity and digital opportunities are accessible to everyone regardless of location or background.

Being a telecommunications company, connectivity is one its core aspects. The company is working towards a more inclusive society by providing equal opportunities through access to digital infrastructure and tools.

For instance, TM helped MSMEs with digitalisation in 2023 and provided resource hubs, alongside accessible and affordable digital business solutions.

For its environmental efforts, TM also achieved a 22% reduction in carbon emissions in 2023, compared with its 2019 baseline, through energy-efficiency initiatives and by increasing its renewable energy mix, particularly in its networks and data centres.

Diversity, equity and inclusion is another ESG pillar for TM as it has launched a year-long leadership development initiative for 30 aspiring women leaders to harness the unique insights and experiences of women to drive innovation and enrich TM’s long-term sustainability.

The company has also been actively supporting the digitalisation of MSMEs and empowering future talents, including providing close to 18,000 scholarships for upper secondary and university education, and introducing a programme to facilitate digital skills in secondary schools.

In the process of integrating sustainable practices across the business, TM faced challenges in shifting the mindset and culture to one that is sustainability-driven. Thus, the past year has been focused on raising awareness of ESG principles among its staff and employees while also building capabilities to apply ESG considerations within each individual’s function and roles.

Planning ahead, TM says it will continue on its journey on sustainability with its framework that is designed to meet global standards like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Global Reporting Initiative, and the Carbon Disclosure Project, ensuring its strategies are both ambitious and impactful.

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