This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on October 5, 2026 - October 11, 2026

Sunway Construction Group Bhd (KL:SUNCON) winning the grand award — Company of the Year — at The Edge Billion Ringgit Club (BRC) Awards 2026 marks another milestone for the construction arm of Sunway Bhd (KL:SUNWAY), as the group continues to strengthen its position in an increasingly competitive industry.

But beyond the accolades and trophies, this year’s BRC Awards — now in its 17th instalment — celebrates what it takes for Malaysian companies to succeed: the ability to compete and hold their own on the global stage.

As Malaysia navigates a rapidly changing economic and business environment — from geopolitical tensions and energy disruptions to the accelerating adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) — the ability of Corporate Malaysia to adapt, innovate and remain competitive has never been more important.

The BRC Awards recognises companies that have demonstrated these qualities. More broadly, the awards serves as a reminder that corporate excellence is not defined solely by financial performance, but the ability to invest for the future, respond to change and create value for shareholders, employees and the wider economy.

Achieving this requires a level playing field for Corporate Malaysia. As highlighted by The Edge Media Group chairman Tan Sri Tong Kooi Ong during the awards ceremony and gala dinner, competition and merit should underpin how companies build their success, rather than protection, privilege or connections.

“Competition forces companies to learn and improve. Companies that learn to compete successfully at home are better equipped to compete globally. That is how productive capability is built,” he noted.

Although the number of companies eligible for the BRC this year was slightly lower at 183 compared with 185 in 2025, their combined market capitalisation of RM1.86 trillion at end-March 2026 was 13.4% higher than the RM1.64 trillion recorded a year earlier. The market capitalisation of these 183 companies accounted for 90.71% of the combined market capitalisation of all companies listed on Bursa Malaysia.

This year, 59 awards were presented to 34 companies, including recognition for corporate responsibility. The BRC methodology is transparent, with its results independently audited by Deloitte Malaysia.

A new non-banks category was introduced for financial services this year, bringing the total to three: Banks (RM10 billion and above in market capitalisation), Banks (below RM10 billion) and Non-banks.

Notably, Solarvest Holdings Bhd (KL:SLVEST), Westports Holdings Bhd (KL:WPRTS), KPJ Healthcare Bhd (KL:KPJ), KSL Holdings Bhd (KL:KSL), United Plantations Bhd (KL:UTDPLT) and Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd (KL:ABMB) secured a clean sweep in their categories — energy, transportation and logistics, healthcare, property (RM3 billion and above market capitalisation), plantation and financial services (Banks — below RM10 billion market capitalisation).

The Company of the Year is chosen based on four criteria: growth in profit after tax over three years (30%), returns to shareholders over three years (25%), return on equity over three years (25%) and corporate responsibility (20%).

In his welcome address, Tong noted that of the past 16 Company of the Year winners, all but one subsequently outperformed the FBM KLCI — by an average of 69%.

“So perhaps the proof of the pudding really is in the eating. Performance should be recognised. Merit should be rewarded. And success should be earned — and celebrated,” he added.

“Because incentives shape behaviour. Behaviour shapes companies. Companies shape economies. And economies ultimately shape the prosperity and well-being of our people.”

While honouring the best of Malaysia’s listed companies, the BRC Awards 2026 also recognised the crucial role played by Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS) in nation building, particularly against the backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and their impact on global energy markets. The national oil major was tasked with helping to coordinate and secure the country’s fuel supply, going beyond its normal business activities.

Amid the global uncertainty, the ability to adapt and reinvent will certainly become increasingly important as businesses contend with technological disruptions and changing customer expectations.

OCBC Bank Malaysia Bhd CEO Tan Chor Sen said companies that will continue to excel will be those that anticipate change rather than simply reacting to it.

“They invest ahead of the curve in innovation, technology, talent and sustainability, while maintaining strong governance and capital discipline. As competitive advantages become increasingly difficult to sustain, the defining characteristic of successful companies will be their ability to continually reinvent themselves without losing sight of the values and capabilities that made them successful in the first place,” he noted.

“They understand that long-term value creation depends not only on growth, but also on responsible stewardship and the ability to earn the trust of customers, employees, investors and the wider community.”

At the same time, Tan sees AI moving from the sidelines to the centre of business strategy, with companies increasingly using it to improve productivity, strengthen decision-making, accelerate innovation and enhance customer engagement. The focus is no longer on experimenting with the technology, but on identifying applications that can deliver measurable business outcomes.

He said investments in data centres (DCs) and digital infrastructure, combined with talent development and supportive policies, are strengthening Malaysia’s digital ecosystem and reinforcing its position as an increasingly important investment destination in the region. “AI is not just changing how businesses operate, it is becoming a key driver of Malaysia’s long-term competitiveness and growth,” he added.

Tan highlighted that companies should focus on becoming AI-enabled, rather than AI-replaced, using technology to augment human capabilities rather than simply substituting them. “The greatest value comes from combining human judgement, expertise and creativity with the speed, scale and analytical power of AI.”

Equally important, AI should be viewed as a business enabler rather than a technology project, he said.

“Organisations that are seeing the greatest impact are typically those that start with a clear business objective and apply AI to solve real-world challenges. Their focus is on practical use cases that enhance productivity, improve decision-making and deliver better customer outcomes, rather than adopting technology for its own sake.”

For instance, OCBC, the main partner for the BRC Awards, believes in “ADD” — AI, digital and data — which are at the core of its “The Next Frontier” strategy.

“Our view is that AI, digital capabilities and data must work together, complemented by deep banking expertise, to drive sustainable growth and create differentiation. This focus has already translated into tangible initiatives. Recently, we unveiled OCBC WoW, an AI-native wealth management platform that leverages AI avatars to deliver personalised insights and real-time portfolio intelligence,” said Tan.

“We have also introduced a generative AI-powered training programme for our relationship managers to enhance their advisory capabilities and HELIOS, our agentic AI platform, accelerates customer due diligence and onboarding while maintaining rigorous risk and compliance standards.”

Celebrating Mercedes-Benz’s 140 years of innovation, Mercedes-Benz Cars Malaysia CEO Martin Schulz noted that one of the most significant changes for the marque has been the deeper integration of AI and digital intelligence into its vehicles.

“The recently launched all-new electric CLA is a strong example, being the first Mercedes-Benz to fully operate on our in-house developed Mercedes-Benz Operating System, or MB.OS. It brings greater intelligence and connectivity, with regular over-the-air updates that keep the vehicle up to date and enable it to evolve over time,” he said.

“We are also seeing a major step forward in the in-car experience with the fourth generation of MBUX. AI from Microsoft and Google enables a more natural, personalised interaction, while the new MBUX Virtual Assistant can understand complex, multi-turn conversations and provide more relevant responses. Ultimately, AI is helping us make the Mercedes-Benz experience more intuitive and seamless, while retaining the familiar Mercedes-Benz interface our customers know and love.”

Schulz, who is also Mercedes-Benz Cars Southeast Asia head of region, said the group’s strategy is focused on bringing the right products and experiences to its customers, while continuing to invest in electrification and local completely knocked-down (CKD) production.

“Charging is a key part of this journey, which is why we introduced MB.CHARGE Public. We are the first automotive brand in Malaysia to bring an integrated payment solution to market that also works across Malaysia and Singapore, making it easier for customers to access public charging through one platform,” he added.

Mercedes-Benz Cars Malaysia is the official car partner for the BRC.

For Artelia managing director Alex Toh, the emergence of AI has encouraged businesses to rethink how they operate, communicate and understand their customers.

“Over the past year, Artelia has continued to evolve in response to changing customer expectations and a rapidly advancing digital landscape. For Artelia, technology is an important tool that can enhance efficiency, improve decision-making and support more personalised customer engagement.”

Nonetheless, Toh believes that technology should complement, rather than replace, the human element.

“Our business is centred on appreciation, craftsmanship, design and the experience of bringing people together. These are values that require human understanding, creativity and a genuine appreciation for quality.”

Looking ahead, Artelia’s strategy is to strengthen its position as a trusted curator of premium tableware, homeware and meaningful gifts.

“At Artelia, excellence is defined by a thoughtful balance of quality, craftsmanship, design and purpose. We believe that a beautiful piece should not only be visually appealing, but also carry meaning, offer lasting value and enrich the experiences of those who use or receive it,” he added.

“Ultimately, excellence is not simply about luxury or prestige. It is about selecting pieces that stand the test of time, elevate everyday moments and become part of memorable occasions and meaningful traditions.”

The trophy and commemorative plate for the BRC Awards 2026 were designed by Artelia.

In thanking the winners and guests for their presence, The Edge Media Group publisher and group CEO Datuk Ho Kay Tat said their trust, support and goodwill have helped make The Edge’s simple desire to recognise, honour and celebrate the biggest and the best of Corporate Malaysia into a tradition.

“As an institution actively tracking billion-ringgit members, we knew the bar needed to be set high from the start — trust and excellence go hand in hand. That is why our awards methodology is transparent and independently audited, and our trophies are valued because they cannot be bought.”

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