25/03/2026

ESG WEDNESDAY | MAR 25, 2026

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Empowering green transition for halal SMEs

optimisation of occupational safety and health measures. The company also said it was because of them upholding strong governance, marked by transparency, ethical conduct, and alignment with leading global sustainability frameworks. Top Glove said it continues to advance its sustainability roadmap, The Commitment to Ten Zero, in line with international standards. Key areas of focus include climate resilience, nature related risk management, workplace wellbeing, a sustainable and responsible supply chain and community advancement. Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre wins Malaysia’s highest environmental honour KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre has been awarded the Prime Minister’s Hibiscus Award for Exceptional Achievement in Environmental Performance, the highest and most prestigious environmental accolade in Malaysia. Recognised as the national benchmark for environmental excellence, the Prime Minister’s Hibiscus Award is reserved for organisations that demonstrate sustained performance, robust governance and full transparency in environmental and sustainability management. Winners are verified through a highly rigorous submission process and an independent jury-led site audit. For the business events industry, this recognition is especially meaningful. It affirms the Centre’s role in championing sustainability leadership at scale, demonstrating that complex, high-volume venues can deliver credible, measurable and verifiable environmental outcomes, while raising the bar for the global meetings and events sector. General manager John Burke said: “Winning the Prime Minister’s Hibiscus Award is a powerful affirmation of our long-term commitment to sustainability. This recognition reflects years of deliberate action, disciplined investment and collective effort across our teams. More importantly, it proves that large, high-impact venues like ours can operate responsibly, transparently and at scale while continuing to support world-class business events.” The Centre’s sustainability journey has been both intentional and structured. In 2022, the Centre signed the Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge, followed by the publication of its Net Zero Carbon Pathway in 2023, outlining clear targets, timelines and accountability mechanisms. Since then, the Centre has implemented a series of impactful initiatives delivering measurable results, including operations powered by renewable energy; 100% of organic waste composted; over 75% waste diversion from landfill, surpassing its 70% target ahead of schedule; 70% locally sourced ingredients across food and beverage operations and 100% certified sustainable packaging in use throughout the venue. The significance of the occasion was further underscored by the presence of Datuk Mohd Salem Kailany, Group CEO of KLCC Holdings, reflecting strong leadership commitment to environmental progress across the group and the wider KLCC precinct.

KUALA its commitment to supporting and future-proofing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Halal sector, Hong Leong Islamic Bank (HLISB) has become a participating bank in Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) Greening Halal Business (GHB) initiative. This programme, supported by the Ministry of Finance (MoF), the Islamic Development Bank, and the World Bank, aims to support SMEs in their green transition while strengthening their competitiveness in the global market. As part of this initiative, HLISB has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Pantas, an AI-enabled carbon management and ESG reporting platform. Through this collaboration, HLISB will equip its SME customers with specialised carbon accounting software and comprehensive capacity building programmes, enabling businesses to accurately track and report direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions, providing the granular data necessary for effective decarbonisation. Customers can also apply for a subsidy of up to RM5,000 for an exclusive subscription, funded by a RM15 million MOF allocation. HLISB CEO Dafinah Ahmed Hilmi emphasised that this initiative is a cornerstone of the Bank’s strategy to elevate the Malaysian Halal ecosystem. “As an Islamic bank, sustainability is embedded in our DNA, as Shariah principles guide us to treat our environment and resources as an amanah (duty). By empowering Halal SMEs to integrate ESG practices into their core operations, we are not only enhancing their market value but also strengthening their intrinsic Shariah compliance. “Our goal is to provide a roadmap for future proofing where environmental stewardship and Shariah-compliant excellence go hand-in hand. As global trade and foreign investment increasingly prioritise climate action, we are committed to ensuring our Halal businesses are resilient, marketable, and positioned at the forefront of the global green transition.” Meanwhile, Pantas CEO and co-founder Max Lee expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership. “We are honoured to be an integral part of this ecosystem, helping Halal businesses navigate the complexities of carbon accounting o Hong Leong Islamic Bank joins Bank Negara’s GHB initiative LUMPUR: Aligned with

Dafinah and Lee at the MoU signing ceremony, witnessed by Chow (left) and Pantas COO Nurul Syaheedah Jes Izman (right).

“The Malaysian Halal market is currently recognized as the global gold standard, which provides us with an opportunity to set that same benchmark for sustainability and climate action. “This GHB programme aligns perfectly with our overarching goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. As a leading financial institution, our role is to act as a catalyst for change, providing the necessary framework and tools to ensure both our organisation and our corporate customers undergo a responsible green transition.” Starting in 2026, the GHB initiative will expand to offer dedicated green financing opportunities to fund specific ESG-aligned projects, turning sustainability roadmaps into reality. Beyond the GHB programme, HLISB continues to offer comprehensive financing packages and specialised Halal advisory services through the BizHalal programme, designed to lower the barrier to entry for prospective Halal SMEs. By combining climate action with Halal excellence, the bank is providing a holistic support system that simplifies the journey for businesses looking to thrive in a competitive, sustainability-driven global market.

and sustainability. Our aim is to simplify the decarbonisation process, making calculating carbon emissions as easy as checking your email. “By turning what sounds like a corporate burden into a competitive advantage, we are helping SMEs set a new standard in corporate responsibility and environmental stewardship.” The GHB initiative addresses a critical need in one of Malaysia’s most vital economic sectors, where global competition increasingly hinges on ESG alignment. With BNM warning that Malaysian businesses could lose up to RM292 billion in total export revenues if they fail to keep pace with global standards, the shift toward sustainability is no longer optional. By integrating green practices, Halal businesses can move beyond traditional certification to meet the sophisticated demands of the modern marketplace, enhancing their operational efficiency and long-term resilience. Ultimately, this green transition ensures that SMEs are not just protecting their market access today, but are positioned as future-proof leaders in the global Halal economy. Hong Leong Bank (HLB) chief sustainability officer, Chow Sheng Wai, also emphasised that these efforts are integral to HLB’s broader decarbonisation ambitions.

Top Glove included in S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2026 SHAH ALAM: Top Glove Corporation Bhd, a manufacturer of gloves, announced its inclusion in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2026 for the 5th year running, spotlighting the Company’s continued sustainability excellence. This year, Top Glove has been acknowledged as a Sustainability Yearbook Member, placing the Company among the top 15% of corporates in the global Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry out of a total of over 9,200 companies assessed in the 2025 Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA). environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, transparent disclosures and responsible business. Notably, Top Glove said it remains the only Malaysian company in the global Health Care Equipment & Supplies sector to be included in the 2026 Yearbook. It is also one of only six Malaysian companies featured this year’s edition. commitment to sustainability, continuous improvement and responsible growth. “As we progress on our ESG journey, we remain dedicated to creating long term value for our stakeholders while contributing positively to society and the environment.” Top Glove said its strong performance is driven by its holistic approach to ESG, focusing on strengthening environmental stewardship, including climate action, resource efficiency, and responsible consumption and production and championing social responsibility, with emphasis on fair labour practices, human rights protections, and Top Glove said this distinction is testament to their ongoing commitment to strong Top Glove managing director Lim Cheong Guan remarked: “We are honoured to be included for the 5th consecutive year in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook. This meaningful recognition reflects our unwavering

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