Petaling Jaya, Malaysia – The 2024 ESG Positive Impact Awards (ESG PIA) recognized 62 exemplary achievements across Malaysia’s corporate sector, spotlighting organizations that have integrated Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into their long-term strategies. Hosted on July 31 at One World Hotel, the event brought together top decision-makers, regulators, and ESG advocates to celebrate progressive impact across 36 winning companies.
Now in its third edition, the awards are organized by Star Media Group (SMG) Berhad and advised by Ernst & Young, with support from Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES). Themed “Celebrating ESG Excellence”, the event highlighted not only compliance, but transformation—recognizing companies pushing the boundaries of responsible and sustainable business.
Two companies stood out with the Most Outstanding ESG Initiative 2024 award. Under the SME and Mid-Tier segment, Above Creative Events (M) Sdn Bhd was acknowledged for its robust practices in Human Rights & Labour Standards. In the Large Companies tier, Heineken Malaysia Bhd earned distinction for its high-impact work in Water Management and Efficiency.
Other Gold Award recipients included MISC Bhd (Biodiversity Conservation), Malaysia Steel Works (KL) Bhd (Energy Efficiency), Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd (Community Relations), and Permodalan Nasional Bhd (Corporate Transformation), among others.
“ESG is no longer a side project—it is the future of business strategy,” said Chan Seng Fatt, Group CEO of SMG. “Our winners tonight are proof that profitability and purpose can—and must—coexist.”
The event also featured keynote remarks from Human Resources Minister Steven Sim, who called for a fundamental rethink of Malaysia’s economic development model in light of shifting global dynamics.
“We are operating in a geopolitical landscape defined by heightened competition and protectionism,” he said. “Malaysia must invest in home-grown capabilities: talent, innovation, and national brands. ESG is not just the right thing to do—it’s essential for resilience.”
This year’s winners represented a diverse spectrum of industries, including energy, property, banking, ports, and creative services. Award categories spanned 16 key areas under four strategic pillars—Environmental, Social, Governance, and Others—ranging from Renewable Energy and Waste Management to Innovative Partnership and Talent Development.
OCBC Bank Malaysia, the event’s principal sponsor since 2022, reiterated its commitment to advancing ESG adoption within the national economy. “We see ourselves as enablers of change. Our role is to empower clients and communities to take the long view,” said CEO Tan Chor Sen.
Above Creative Events founder Micky Ng reflected on the award’s significance: “This is not just an acknowledgment—it validates ESG as the core of who we are as a business. It’s a result of deep-rooted commitment, and it pushes us to do even more.”
Heineken Malaysia Managing Director Martijn van Keulen shared similar sentiments. “This recognition energizes our teams. It reminds us that ESG leadership is a collective effort and that Malaysian companies can truly lead on the global stage.”
Looking ahead, SMG announced the upcoming Asia ESG Summit to be held from November 5–7, accompanied by the inaugural Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards 2025 on November 6, signaling a regional expansion of ESG leadership.
As Malaysia continues to embed ESG deeper into its corporate and economic agenda, initiatives like ESG PIA play a vital role in shaping cross-sector dialogue and building a forward-facing ecosystem where impact, integrity, and innovation converge.
