JANUARY-FEBRUARY , 2023 | @ green
LOCAL NEWS
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Sustainability as growth driver
The National Tech Association of Malaysia ( PIKOM ) urges local businesses to include sustainability in their basic business strategy
PIKOM ( CIO chapter ) chairman Malik Murad Ali stated that if sustainable practices were implemented effectively , early adopters would establish core competencies that would be difficult for competitors to match .
Malik stated : “ This competitive edge will serve them well , and such approaches will even serve as strategic growth drivers .
“ Enterprises that embrace a sustainability mentality and integrate environmental , social , and governance ( ESG ) practises into their corporate strategy and operations are better equipped and generate value for all stakeholders , including themselves .”
Malik , also the director of information technology at Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd ( Mydin ), stated that technologywas essential for successful sustainability practises , especially within Mydin ’ s supply chain , to ensure that only sustainably and responsibly manufactured commodities are sourced .
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“ Technology has also proven to be the critical enabler for Mydin ’ s innovative culture . For us , technology is an investment for increased efficiencies and growth , not a cost ,” Malik added .
He talked about how Mydin switched to an e-commerce model and opened up a new revenue stream during the pandemic .
His e-commerce example , Mydin Express , has proven to be a consumer-friendly e-commerce outlet .
“ They only need to select the store closest to them , buy online , place their purchase , receive a confirmation over WhatsApp , and the things will be delivered to their home , or they may opt for self-pickup ,” he explained .
He noted that the company values its strategic partnership with SAP , which enabled Mydin ’ s compliance with ESG industry requirements , effective inventory controls , warehouse management , and recall features , all of which have contributed to Mydin ’ s robust growth over the years .
Cynthia Quah , head of cloud for SAP in Southeast Asia , stated that
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firms could not afford to wait for government and regulatory action before embarking on sustainable initiatives .
Cynthia said : “ The sooner businesses start embracing sustainability practices , the stronger standing and competitive advantage they will get in the market and the eyes of key stakeholders like the investors , customers and business partners .
“ Businesses can start small to identify areas where sustainability can be embedded and work on the overall roadmap .
“ They then would start seeing the rewards of being more eco-friendly , winning the hearts of our stakeholders , and improving revenues and bottom lines .”
SAP ’ s focus on sustainability is part of the company ’ s 50-year objective to help the world function more efficiently and improve people ’ s lives by concentrating on business operations .
According to a recent Oxford Economics and SAP report , Malaysian firms have more work to generate value from sustainability .
Sixty per cent of firms do not believe it is impossible to be sustain-
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Malik and Cynthia
able and profitable simultaneously , yet just four per cent claim that their sustainability policies provide them with considerable value .
“ This may be because many organisations remain disconnected from sustainability plans and actions . While six in 10 ( 63 per cent ) of Malaysian businesses have a communicated sustainability plan , only 23 per cent have incentivised leaders based on its success , and only a third ( 33 per cent ) say their employees are active participants in their sustainability efforts ,” said Cynthia .
“ Public , private and plural partnerships are quintessential to effect the required change for a green economy .
“ Sustainability can be a key growth driver for recurring revenue streams , find new efficiencies , and build new business models based on lowemission , circular , and ultimately regenerative concepts to benefit both the organisation and our society at large .”
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Ranhill pledges to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050
RANHILL Utilities Bhd ( Ranhill ) and MGTC signed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU ) recently at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre to implement Ranhill Net Zero Carbon 2050 Roadmap .
MGTC CEO Ts Shamsul Bahar Mohd Nor and Ranhill COO Amran Awaluddin signed the MoU . This programme will support Ranhill ’ s long-term objective of net zero carbon by 2050 and its milestone milestones .
Amran Awaluddin said : “ Ranhill has continued to progress on its sustainability and environmental , social , and governance ( ESG ) performance , reflecting our continuous commitment towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals ( SDG ) relevant to our business and social engagements as a responsible corporate citizen .
Shamsul Bahar added the development of Ranhill ’ s Net Zero Carbon Roadmap by MGTC would include the greenhouse gas ( GHG ) emissions assessment , identifying key drivers of Ranhill ’ s emissions and mitigation strategies , and setting interim and long-term targets .
“ MGTC will adopt internationally recognised standards such as the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard and the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for GHG Inventory .”
He also said the roadmap would help Ranhill find ways to cut emissions , preserve energy , and raise awareness of climate change issues . Malaysia ’ s Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement aims to reduce its economy-wide carbon intensity ( against GDP ) by 45 per cent in 2030 compared to 2005 and achieve net zero GHG reduction by 2050 .
Ranhill hopes to improve life by leading a nationbuilding effort through sustainable environment and energy solutions , creativity , and clean technology .
Double honours for Johnson
REVON MEDIA Sdn Bhd Managing Editor Datuk Johnson Fernandez received two awards in December 2022 for his contribution to journalism .
He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Journalism by the Hyderabad-based St Mother Theresa University ( SMTU ) on Dec 17 , just nine days after he received the Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang , which carries the title Datuk , on Dec 8 .
Johnson , 65 , said December had been kind to him and deemed them early Christmas presents . “ I never expected either award . It is an honour to get one from the King , and special to be recognised by a foreign university .
“ This is another honour I accept on behalf of all Malaysian journalists , especially since the recognition comes from a foreign entity .”
Johnson was among the first of four Malaysians to be given the prestigious Award by SMTU . They received their awards from Prof Dr R . Vijaya Saraswathy , the University ’ s Founder and Pro-Vice Chancellor in Kuala Lumpur .
“ I hope the doctorate will make people realise that good journalism can make a difference ,” said Johnson , who served with the National Echo ( 1979-82 ), The Star ( 1982-87 ) and The Malay Mail ( 1987-2003 ).
On his Datukship , he commented : “ I would like to thank our sports-loving King for recognising my efforts as a sportswriter . I have covered every level of Malaysian sports , and it has been a rewarding career where I met and grew up with many famous personalities and have many good memories ,” he said .
He was The Malay Mail Sports Editor from 1998-2003 . In 1994 , he received the Sports Journalist of the Year Award . He was also the General Secretary of the
Johnson and his wife Datin Sulochana with the King .
Datuk ( Dr ) Johnson receiving his doctorate from Professor Dr R . Vijaya .
Asian Sports Press Union ( ASPU ) and the International Sports Press Association ( AIPS ) committee member .
He has covered major sporting events such as the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and was feared for his weekly columns . Royalty , cabinet ministers , high rollers , business tycoons , officials , administrators , and athletes felt the brunt when he penned his thoughts .
But he also gave credit where credit was due . “ I have always been fair in my reporting and commentaries . If someone does something good , I would say so and would encourage them to do better .
“ All I wanted was to do my job as diligently as possible and write without fear or favour ,” said Johnson , who was the only Malaysian journalist invited to speak at the 2010 Global Investigative Journalism Conference in Geneva . – @ Green