Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) account for 97% of all business establishments in Malaysia and employ around 48% of the country’s workforce. While the pressure to provide sustainability-related disclosures and adopt relevant practices has thus far been on bigger companies, SMEs are increasingly affected as well. A special feature in the recent Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) 2023 annual report, titled “Supporting SMEs transition to greener practices”, highlights the risks, opportunities, steps and toolkits for SMEs in this low-carbon transition.

Helping SMEs cope with climate change

It took only one meeting between Anish Mathew Samuel and Chakrapani Ruddraramker, who both went to the same business school in Manila, to quit their jobs and set up a company to trade eco-friendly products, thanks to their passion for sustainability.

This was 10 years ago. Soon, they be...

Agriculture: On a quest to make organic farming affordable

As it stands, all development projects seeking approval in Malaysia are subject to one regulatory process for assessing their environmental impact, known as Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) under the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (EQA 1974). EIAs are a planning tool. By laying out a formal...

Views: A rubber stamp on environmental degradation?

There were few positive headlines about ESG and sustainable funds in the last few years. In 2022, the returns of many of these funds were negatively impacted by their underexposure to energy counters and overexposure to technology stocks. In 2023, declining fund flows and a net outflow were recor...

Finance: Waiting for more maturity in ESG

East Ventures, a venture capital firm that focuses on Southeast Asia (SEA), has launched a free web-based greenhouse gas (GHG) calculator called Ecovisea for companies to measure their emissions. Ecovisea, which stands for emissions calculator and visualisation SEA, was developed in collaboration...

Toolkit: A new free carbon emissions calculator

A parallel is often drawn between sustainability reporting and financial reporting. Both are mandatory for Malaysian public-listed companies (PLCs) and must be published online annually. Yet, compared with financial reports, sustainability reports seem to engender less trust and the comparability...

Cover Story: How credible is sustainability reporting?

Concert tours generate a significant carbon footprint — from the travel of artistes and attendees to waste generated at venues and merchandise sales. Given the large audiences that popular concerts attract, these events also consume a lot of resources and energy.

After the crowd has lef...

Waste: Can concerts be green?

PUTRAJAYA (March 27): Datuk Abdul Razib Dawood, chief executive officer of the Energy Commission (ST), revealed that ST is currently in talks with the government to give condominium owners an exemption from having a distributor licence to install electric vehicle charging bays (EVCB).

Energy Commission to speed up EV charger licensing process

The Covid-19 pandemic and other geopolitical factors have caused disruptions in local, regional, national and global food supply chains, prompting us to focus on traditional farming systems. These are the products of ingenious combinations of knowledge, techniques and practices that contribute to...

Views: Preserving traditional farming in Malaysia

Hydrogen is touted as the next alternative green energy solution. There are several projects and plants being developed in Malaysia as envisioned in the Hydrogen Economy and Technology Roadmap, and even more are under development globally.

Exploring hydrogen as an energy source

In 2014, a live venomous viper, 12 toads and a variety of insects were found in a package with “happy birthday” markings during a routine check at a post office in Ipoh.

This story is a favourite for Renee Yee, who is TRAFFIC’s training and capacity building officer in Southeast Asia.

Biodiversity: TRAFFIC seeks to clamp down on illegal wildlife trade

Two years ago, Sime Darby Plantation Bhd (SDP) pledged to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. By now, one would have heard similar pledges from many corporates. But how can one know whether this is enough to halt climate change, and whether it can be achieved?

As scrutiny on clai...

Q&A: Why Sime Darby Plantation had its climate targets validated

In the dynamic landscape of constant innovation and disruption, the maxim “women hold up half the sky” encapsulates the essence of diversity’s pivotal role in fostering innovation and driving success.

While companies may boast diverse workforces, it is the strategic harnessing of this d...

Views: Unleashing DEI: A catalyst in transforming Malaysian businesses

In a society that views differently abled individuals through a lens of pity or sympathy, the potential of such individuals to actively contribute to the workforce is often overlooked.

According to a study by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM), 58% of persons with disabilities...

Cover Story: Enabling the differently abled

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant described on Tuesday a request by the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor for arrest warrants against him and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a "disgraceful" bid to interfere in the Gaza war.

Israel defence minister calls ICC prosecutor moves against him and Netanyahu 'disgraceful'

ByteDance Ltd has acquired Chinese earphone maker Oladance for around US$50 million (RM234.71 million), its latest step towards developing wearable devices that could become the next home for its tech after smartphones.

ByteDance acquired earbud maker Oladance for future hardware, Bloomberg reports

One point of criticism was particularly emphatic: The Chinese are seeking to dominate the market for less advanced chips, mature nodes (25nm and above), and the Chips Act does not address that. The stated goal of the policy is chip supply chain independence for the US, Asia Times reported.

The missing piece in US chip policy — report

Apple Inc is challenging a €1.8 billion (US$1.9 billion or RM9.19 billion) fine levied by the European Union (EU) for thwarting fair competition from music-streaming rivals, including Spotify Technology SA.

The iPhone maker has filed a suit in the EU’s General Court in Luxembourg to topple the March decision, according to people familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Apple fights €1.8b EU antitrust fine for curbs on Spotify

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) adopt and implement the use of 5G networks for their businesses, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said.

MCMC and Mida to sign MOU to help MSMEs adopt, utilise 5G — Fahmi

Copper’s barnstorming rally is showing signs of slowing, one day after reaching an all-time high, with investors cautioning its rally may have been running ahead of weak fundamentals for refined metal.

Copper’s record rise steadies as demand signals challenge bulls

French jeweller Chaumet has opened its first boutique in Malaysia in the heart of downtown KL at The Exchange TRX.

French jeweller Chaumet brings its sparkle to The Exchange TRX

Feytech’s executive director Goo Yoong Chang says it plans to focus on hiring local workers for its plants in Kulim, Kedah.

NEWS: Feytech focuses on hiring local workers

New Main Market-listed Feytech could be impacted somewhat by the government’s plans to rationalise the fuel subsidy according to executive director Goo Yoong Chang.

NEWS: Fuel subsidy rationalisation impacts Feytech’s customers

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urged German bank executives on Tuesday to step up efforts to comply with sanctions against Russia and shut down efforts to circumvent them to avoid potential penalties themselves that would cut off dollar access.

Yellen urges German banks to boost compliance with US sanctions on Russia

Northcape Capital Ltd said a bid by major shareholders to take Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd private may face opposition due to the low valuation offered.

Malaysia Airports shareholder expresses doubt on takeover bid

Public Bank Bhd (KL:PBBANK), Malaysia’s third-largest bank by assets, is on course to achieve an earnings forecast of RM6.96 billion for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2024 (FY2024), with its first-quarter results aligning with analysts’ expectations.

Public Bank on course to hit FY2024 earnings target on better outlook, say analysts

Malaysia and Japan are set to confirm their cooperation in strengthening semiconductor supply chains at a meeting later this week, according to Japanese daily The Mainachi.

Malaysia, Japan set to confirm semicon supply chain tie-up — report

Hartalega Holdings Bhd (KL:HARTA) notched a turnaround in its final quarter thanks partly to a provision reversal that also helped to bring the world’s second-largest glovemaker by volume back into the black for the year.

Hartalega returns to the black for 4QFY2024

RHB Banking Group has launched Apple Pay for its customers in Malaysia.

RHB brings Apple Pay to customers in Malaysia

The Federation of Investment Managers Malaysia (FIMM) recently reprimanded eight former unit trust scheme (UTS) and/or private retirement scheme (PRS) consultants for their misconducts/breaches of the FIMM’s Consolidated Rules (FCR), Code of Ethics and Rules of Professional Conduct (Second Edition), or&nbsp;Code of Ethics (Third Edition).

FIMM reprimands eight former unit trust and private retirement scheme consultants

Shares of Menang Corp (M) Bhd (KL:MENANG) rose to its highest in nearly nine months after the property development and management company declared a special dividend amid six-year high quarterly earnings.

Menang shares close in on nine-month high on special dividend, earnings

Automotive seat manufacturer Feytech Holdings Bhd (KL:FEYTECH) made a strong debut on Bursa Malaysia’s Main Market at RM1.10, a premium of 30 sen or 37.5% over its initial public offering (IPO) price of 80 sen, with an opening volume of 25.15 million.

Feytech makes strong Main Market debut with 30 sen premium 

The proposed fuel subsidy rationalisation by the government could impact the local automotive market, which houses its major customers, primarily consisting of automotive vehicle original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), according to automotive seat manufacturer Feytech Holdings Bhd (KL:FEYTECH).

Feytech expects proposed subsidy rationalisation to impact automotive market

KTI Landmark Bhd expects to raise RM48&nbsp;million under its listing exercise on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Sabah-based integrated property developer said it plans to use RM20.7 million (43.1%) of the proceeds raised from the initial public offering (IPO) to supplement its general working capital requirements for The Logg&nbsp;project, which include construction cost (building and infrastructure cost), consultants’ and professional fees, and local authority fees for the ongoing projects.

KTI Landmark to raise RM48m from ACE Market IPO

Rakuten Trade said Bahvest Resources Bhd (KL:BAHVEST) is poised for a potential bullish breakout from the U-shape pattern, targeting to surpass the neckline of 61 sen.

Bahvest poised for potential bullish breakout, says Rakuten Trade 

Affin Bank Bhd (KL:AFFIN), the financial services arm of the Armed Forces Fund&nbsp;Board (LTAT), said on Tuesday its net profit down was 26% lower year-on-year (y-o-y) in the first quarter, on lower net interest income and other income.

Affin Bank's 1Q net profit down 26% as net interest income falls

Crypto prices have surged on signs of momentum toward US approval of exchange-traded funds investing directly in second-largest token Ether, a shift from a more downbeat outlook as recently as last week.

Crypto lifted by ether’s biggest jump since 2022 on ETF outlook

Shares of Pintaras Jaya Bhd (KL:PTARAS) rose to its highest in 11 months after the construction company’s third-quarter earnings announcement.

Pintaras Jaya rises to 11-month high after announcing 3Q results

Tencent Holdings Ltd suspended the highly anticipated Dungeon &amp; Fighter Mobile within an hour of its Chinese debut Tuesday, suggesting strong initial demand for a blockbuster title that investors hope will drive revenue growth in 2024.

Tencent suspends blockbuster game within an hour of China debut

Traders are pricing in a big move for Nvidia’s shares after the chipmaker reports earnings on Wednesday, though expectations for volatility are more muted than in the past, US options markets show.

Nvidia earnings could spark US$200b swing in shares, options show

Shares of Supercomnet Technologies Bhd (KL:SCOMNET) fell on Tuesday and may be on course for its worst day in 15 months after the medical device manufacturer reported a weaker-than-expected first quarter.

Supercomnet shares on course for worst day in 15 months after below-view 1Q

Stocks drifted lower while the dollar held firm on Tuesday as investors awaited minutes of the Federal Reserve's (Fed) latest policy meeting to gauge the timing and extent of possible interest rate cuts this year.

Stocks slide, dollar steady ahead of Fed minutes; crypto soars

Sunway Construction Group Bhd (KL:SUNCON) retreated on Tuesday from its all-time high amid weaker-than-expected results and growing market concerns that its shares may have peaked after beating the consensus target price.

SunCon shares off record high after below-view 1Q amid analyst downgrades

Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd (KL:BIMB), Malaysia's largest full-fledged Islamic bank, said on Tuesday its net profit increased 9.4% for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 (1QFY2024) from a year earlier, mainly driven by higher net fund-based income and lower net allowances for impairment on financing.&nbsp;

ESG

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