(From left) George Kent director of strategy and investments Datuk Thomas Leong, The Edge Malaysia editor-in-chief Kathy Fong, Bursa Malaysia CEO Datuk Fad'l Mohamed, The Edge Media Group chairman and owner Tan Sri Tong Kooi Ong, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Westports Holdings independent non-executive director Tan Sri Mohd Khairul Adib Abd Rahman, UOB Malaysia CEO Ng Wei Wei, Press Metal Aluminium Holdings deputy CEO BG Ooi, IOI Corporation plantation director NB Sudhakaran and The Edge Malaysia publisher and group CEO Datuk Ho Kay Tat at The Edge ESG Awards 2025. (Photo by Low Yen Yeing/The Edge)
KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 1): Westports Holdings Bhd (KL:WPRTS) won gold in the Best of the Best category, a new category introduced at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2025 on Wednesday, which celebrates the most consistent performers in ESG over the past three years.
This award was presented to public-listed companies (PLCs) that won gold for three consecutive years at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards, and is based on their respective ESG scores and the compound annual growth rate of common dividends declared over the past three years.
“It has not been easy for businesses to navigate the uncertain global economy, geopolitical tensions and the trade war in the past year. Despite that, the demands on businesses to adopt ESG is still there, whether from banks, investors or consumers,” said The Edge Malaysia publisher and group CEO Datuk Ho Kay Tat.
“The 13th Malaysia Plan, in fact, aims to promote sustainable growth, resilience and shared prosperity, of which the private sector will have to play a role.”
The event was organised by The Edge Malaysia in collaboration with Bursa Malaysia and FTSE Russell, with UOB Malaysia as its main partner. Morningstar is the award’s knowledge partner for the funds category while Deloitte was the auditor. The awards was held at Hilton Kuala Lumpur this year and attended by over 350 guests.
This year’s awards also saw the largest number of PLCs — 956 in total — qualifying, with the inclusion of ACE Market PLCs for the first time. This follows Bursa Malaysia Bhd’s announcement over two years ago that all PLCs will be given an ESG score by FTSE Russell in stages. The average FTSE ESG scores for Main Market PLCs rose from 2.45 in December 2024 to 2.59 out of a maximum score of 5 in June this year, according to Bursa Malaysia.
Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, who was the guest of honour at the event, said that Malaysia is steadfast in its commitment to sustainability, as businesses continue to invest in ESG despite geopolitical tensions and shifting trade dynamics. Amir Hamzah added that companies in Malaysia have an understanding that sustainability is not a luxury, but a necessity.
“Ministries are actively working on key enablers such as a climate change bill, carbon pricing mechanisms and other frameworks to support the circular economy. These policies reflect a broader national effort, which is embedded in the 13th Malaysia Plan and the Madani economy framework,” he said in his keynote address.
“Our actions include investing in public transport, conserving natural resources and strengthening the green economy. At the same time, we are prioritising equitable growth, affordable housing and introducing laws to guarantee conducive work environments, among other urgent issues.”
While there will be challenges in the short term, he stressed the need for businesses to invest in new technologies to decarbonise or amend processes to meet increasingly stringent expectations, including human rights and environmental standards…
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