National ESG Strategic Plan and 13MP near completion, unaffected by ministers' resignations
KUALA LUMPUR: The resignations of two key ministers will not disrupt the progress of the National Environmental, Social and Governance Strategic Plan (NESP) or the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), both of which are nearing completion, said Deputy Economy Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib.
To a question on the progress of NESP and 13MP, Hanifah Hajar confirmed that the 13MP is almost ready to be presented to the Cabinet, while work on the NESP is actively ongoing.
'All ministries understand the importance of ESG (environmental, social and governance), and our civil servants have been working on it with clear ideas they want to implement,' she told reporters on the sidelines of the Forward Faster Symposium 2025 hosted by the UN Global Compact Network Malaysia and Brunei (UNGCMYB) here today.
It was reported that the 13MP document is expected to be tabled in Parliament next month.
However, she noted that a definitive timeline for the delivery of the NESP has yet to be confirmed.
This follows the resignation of Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli as Minister of Economy and the resignation of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, which will take effect on July 4.
Earlier in her keynote address at the symposium, Hanifah Hajar said the NESP is aligned with global ESG frameworks and complements six pillars under the National Sustainability Strategic Framework and Industry ESG.
'The NESP is a comprehensive initiative aimed at guiding Malaysian businesses toward ESG compliance and sustainable practices. It will support Malaysian business entities, especially small and medium enterprises in phases, to move toward ESG reporting and even beyond compliance,' she said.
The one-day symposium brought together over 200 participants, including high-level executives, sustainability practitioners, and business leaders.
With the theme 'Accelerating Corporate Sustainability Commitments for a Resilient Future,' the event featured in-depth discussions and high-level dialogues on the evolving role of business in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The discussions were seen as timely amid economic headwinds and rising geopolitical tensions, with Malaysian corporate leaders increasingly strengthening their ESG commitments and positioning sustainability as a strategic tool to manage risk, drive long-term value, and contribute to national development.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sinar Daily
44 minutes ago
- Sinar Daily
Heatwave sends watermelon sales soaring, vendors double up on profits
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) recently reported that six districts across three states were at Level 1 (alert) following daily temperatures between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius. 21 Jun 2025 02:00pm A fruit vendor in Kampung Padang Pak Omar, Selising said watermelon juice is now the top choice of customers who want to quench their thirst or soothe their throats, despite the price reaching RM3.50 per kilogramme (kg). PASIR PUTEH - The hot weather that has hit the country in recent weeks has not only made people thirsty, but has also doubled the demand for juicy watermelon in Kelantan. A fruit vendor in Kampung Padang Pak Omar, Selising, Yushairan Hashim, 33, said watermelon juice is now the top choice of customers who want to quench their thirst or soothe their throats, despite the price reaching RM3.50 per kilogramme (kg). To ensure uninterrupted supply, a vendor procures watermelon from Johor, Perak and several other states since the harvest in Kelantan has been depleted. "For the past three weeks, the response for watermelon has been extraordinary at our second stall here, surpassing the demand for other fruits. Because of that, I increased the stock to 15 metric tonnes for several days of sales to meet high customer demand," he told Bernama recently. To ensure uninterrupted supply, he procures watermelon from Johor, Perak and several other states since the harvest in Kelantan has been depleted. Yushairan forecasts the high demand for watermelons will continue throughout the Malaysian summer, which is expected to end around September. "For watermelon vendors, this is a much-anticipated period. Better profits this season can cover losses during the previous period of oversupply which led to dumping and price drops," said the vendor who started his fruit business in Kok Lanas three years ago. Meanwhile, a worker at the same stall, Maziaton Abdullah, 52, said she had no problem satisfying customers who started coming in as early as 8am. "The school holiday season, which is filled with weddings, also contributed to the surge in sales. Some customers buy hundreds of kilos of watermelons for their events," she said. She added that watermelons are the top choice because their sweet and slurpy flesh is perfect for cooling down in the searing, steamy heatwave. The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) recently reported that six districts across three states were at Level 1 (alert) following daily temperatures between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius. The areas affected are Larut, Matang, Kuala Kangsar and Perak Tengah in Perak; Machang and Kuala Krai in Kelantan; and Bandar Baharu in Kedah. - BERNAMA
Borneo Post
an hour ago
- Borneo Post
Taxing taste of Malaysian politics
PM Anwar shared this image of himself pushing a wheelbarrow, captioned 'New Year Clean-up' in ushering in 2025. The photo was widely welcomed by Malaysians, many interpreting it as a hopeful metaphor for a national reset. Yet as SST kicks in, some wonder: will the clean-up go beyond optics – down to the kitchen table? — Photo from Facebook MALAYSIAN politics has certainly entered a new flavour spectrum with the words of politicians not about budget, economy or investment but about what's on our meal plates. Acting Muda president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz recently whipped out a storm by comparing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's supposed love for avocado toast to Najib Razak's infamous switch from rice to quinoa. When 'kolo mee', 'roti canai' and 'nasi lemak' are breakfast of the people (despite rising prices), bringing up avocados and quinoa of the present prime minister and a former one, respectively, which are out-of-touch with everyday Malaysia, seems like a strategic move of Muda. It speaks to how political branding now happens not in speeches or slogans, but in what leaders are seen eating, wearing, or doing on a holiday. But let's unpack this properly – before someone throws a durian into the batter. The timing of Muda's food commentary was not accidental. It came just as the government announced the expansion of the Sales and Service Tax (SST) scheduled to take effect this July 1 with the imposition of five per cent to 10 per cent sales tax on selected non-essential goods and broaden the service tax to include services such as rental or leasing, construction, finance, private healthcare, education, and beauty. For many urban middle-class Malaysians, this tax hike stings. Expanded sales tax includes imported fruits; thus, avocado being considered imported goods was uttered by Anwar: 'If the rich want to eat avocados, then they will need to pay a little more.' So what better way to channel discontent than by framing it as a class issue? Muda's avocado analogy may seem like harmless satire, but it taps into a deeper frustration – that leaders may be preaching belt-tightening while they are enjoying imported produce. Whether or not Anwar actually had avocado toast is beside the point. The image has taken root. And in politics, perception is often more powerful than fact. Najib's quinoa moment in 2018 became a national punchline. For a leader under scrutiny for corruption and excess, his choice of a trendy, protein-packed South-American grain, instead of humble rice, was the icing on a chocolate cake. In contrast, Anwar's 'avocado' is not being mocked as luxurious, but to signal detachment from the people. The narrative is 'the Prime Minister does not know the suffering of the people'. This shift is unfavourable to the Madani Government. It shows that younger politicians are now savvier in using cultural signals such as food, fashion and fitness routines to frame their critiques. But it also raises a key question – is this fair game? Both avocado and quinoa are dear to me – not as symbols of elitism, but out of necessity and circumstance. Back when Najib's quinoa quote made headlines, I was struggling with gluten intolerance. I had to replace wheat with quinoa. It was not about being trendy; it was about survival. For two years, quinoa — pricey as it was — became part of my daily diet until, thankfully, I could slowly reintroduce wheat without discomfort. As for avocados, they were not always this high-end item that you now find on café menus with microgreens and olive oil. When I was stationed in Sabah, avocados were so abundant and cheap, I could have avocado toast at any time I wanted without it costing me more than a regular breakfast. In fact, Sabah grows them and in recent years, Sarawak does too. After all, it is a superfood and many lower income groups could afford locally produced avocado. Ironically, Anwar may have picked a food that is not elitist at all — just under-appreciated local produce. That's where I find him a little naïve. He could have used his breakfast moment to celebrate Malaysian farmers and promote food security – not unwittingly serving himself on a silver platter for social media roast. Quoting Prof Dr Ramasamy: 'At least he should have gone one step further by urging Malaysian farmers to plant avocado trees to bring down the imported fruit. 'I am sure his buddy Mohammed Sabu, the Minister of Agriculture, might welcome it especially coming from the Prime Minister.' Muda's strategy could be seen as clever youth-oriented political branding. In a crowded opposition landscape, they need to be louder and fresher. But surely Muda, a party built on reform and ideas resorting to comparing grocery lists risks appearing superficial. More importantly, it shifts the focus from policy to personality. The expanded SST, for instance, deserves serious scrutiny. Is it a fair way to broaden the tax base? Will the government ensure these revenues are channelled into healthcare, education, and cost-of-living relief? Could exemptions be refined to protect vulnerable groups? These are the questions worth debating – not whether Anwar spreads avocado over its breakfast toast. Likewise, when Opposition leaders resort to metaphors instead of manifestos, we must ask – where's your alternative policy? What would Muda do differently on SST, tax reform, or public spending? In the end, it is not what our leaders eat that should matter most – it is what they serve us. If Anwar's policies can stabilise the economy, lower inflation, and protect the poor, then let him enjoy his avocado. If Najib's quinoa came with billion-ringgit scandals, then no amount of quinoa can redeem that taste. And if Muda can only offer critiques based on food preferences, then perhaps it is time for them to go back to the kitchen – and cook up better policies. Because for most Malaysians, the question remains simple – can I still afford breakfast next month? anwar ibrahim cost of living economy Madani malaysia SST tax
Borneo Post
an hour ago
- Borneo Post
Power-sharing of a different kind
For Malaysia, the cross-border power-sharing is a meaningful contribution to the APG scheme itself, which aims to build an electricity grid link with almost all the member countries of Asean. — Bernama photo SHOULD the Republic of the Philippines need extra electricity for its industries and private homes and cannot get it elsewhere, it can turn to Sarawak. Within minutes, through the renewable energy grid, the Asean Power Grid (APG), electricity could be transmitted to the Southern Philippines through Sabah. I take it that Sarawak has no problem with the federal government in this cross-border transaction. After all, we are selling power to the Indonesians too in a similar fashion. In December of last year, the Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) began selling green energy to Singapore. So you say that Malaysia, both the West and the East, is a good source of electricity for the neighbours. Here is a good chance for Malaysia as the Asean Chair to play the role of a good promoter of product as well as act as salesman. Should there be any problem with any member of Asean with regard to the project, the Chair would be able to display tact and ingenuity to ensure that this, being an Asean project, has to proceed. Once the vendor and the buyer agree upon the terms of purchase that it is a deal, no second, third or fourth opinion needed. For Malaysia, this a meaningful contribution to the APG scheme itself, which aims to build an electricity grid link with almost all the member countries of Asean. Let's start with Malaysia. The electricity is actually from Sarawak, but never mind the saying 'lembu punya susu, sapi punya nama' (the milk is from the cow, but the buffalo gets the name). Somehow my gut feeling is that this energy grid, going through the territory of Sabah, may meet with some political problems. I'm thinking about the Philippines' claim to Sabah. I am confident that this was on the mind of the Prime Minister before he popped the suggestion, and he was confident that it would not stand in the way because this would be an Asean project. It is crucial that the Chair of Asean will be supported by the other member countries. Malaysia must make a mark during its term of office. 'Good personal relationship matters' I am told that our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has a good personal relationship with the President of the Republic of the Philippines. That relationship is crucial when it comes to tackling a problem relating to an economic scheme that benefits both parties. This electricity grid is one such scheme. This is a sensible suggestion from our Prime Minister. It is a practicable move that deserves full support by anyone thinking about what to do with excess electricity in Sarawak. At this stage, there appears to be clear evidence of the existence of political will on the part of Malaysian leaders in terms of state-federal relations. However, at this stage, we do not really know what the Philippines government thinks of the proposal. The potential buyer of our electricity has not made known publicly its response or even interest in purchasing power from us. I am sure there will be some response from President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr after he has received the report from his representative. Give him and his colleagues time to think about the proposal by our PM in terms of the economic viability of the purchase of power, and to make decisions at their own speed. Politics may have a role in this deal. My surmise. I hope this would not derail the initial talks on the sale and purchase. Treat the dealing like a normal sale and purchase of a product that the buyer needs and the vendor has the stock for disposal anytime – a business-like transaction. Meanwhile, we should support PM Anwar's proposal if we have enough electricity supply for our own use and enough to sell overseas. We are selling electricity to Indonesia anyway. Is there enough of the product for another buyer? As regards the sale of power to Kalimantan, my sources say that the time may come when the demand will be reduced or even stopped altogether once the Indonesians have built a hydro-power dam across the upper reaches of the River Mahakam. The power generation from that dam will serve the needs of the new capital Nusantara, and the districts along the coast including the city of Samarinda itself. There are several rivers in that part of Borneo that may be dammed for hydropower generation. In 1989, I was in the Sarawak team as a delegate attending the post-Asean Conference on Land Settlement Conference held in Samarinda. I joined a team who rode a Russian double-decker helicopter flying over the great Mahakam; we were being flown to a settlement of Kenyah and Kayan at Datah Bilang. It was an eye-opener. The river, if dammed, would generate an enormous amount of electricity for the entire region. The electricity supply from Sarawak could be affected if the Indonesians could produce enough electricity from their own dams, unless the APG steps in to enable the grid to provide the link to continue. An economic question. Between good neighbours, sharing of electrical power would be mutually beneficial on a commercial basis. It makes good economic sense. The other power (political) is not for sale, though! * The opinions expressed in this article are the columnist's own and do not reflect the view of the newspaper. Asean power grid malaysia Philippines
