⚖️ ESG & SME Survivability – Insights from the Malaysian Bar Conference
We were privileged to have our ESGAM Vice President, Mr Eric Chong, join the prestigious Malaysian Bar Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Conference on October 31, 2025. A huge thank you to the Malaysian Bar Council Joint Committee on ESG for hosting a critical discussion on Small and Medium Enterprises (“SME”) and ESG.
The panel featured key leaders: Mr. Jordan Xin Yong (Manager, ESG & Contract Financing Specialist, Hong Leong Bank Berhad), Dr. Chin Chee Seong (National President, SME Association of Malaysia), and Mr. Noor Azmin Azali Bin Ramli (Senior Director, Legal & Secretariat, MGTC).
3 Key Takeaways for SMEs on the ESG Journey:
* Sustainability = Survivability: Don’t view ESG as a hindrance, but as an opportunity for growth. SMEs are already engaging in “Social” and “Governance” practices (like CSR, employee welfare, and anti-corruption policies) but must learn to frame and report them to unlock business value.
* Start Small, Start Now: The message to SMEs is clear—start small, but start now. Basic steps like adopting simple HR policies or whistleblower policies are the first move toward integrating ESG into the organizational agenda. Don’t wait for mandatory compliance; those in global supply chains are already feeling the push, particularly with the new Energy Efficiency and Co-efficient Act.
* Financing and Incentives Bridge the Cost Gap: While cost is a major challenge, financial institutions are stepping up. Leveraging government incentives like the Green Technology Financing Scheme (GTFS) 5.0 and assistance from agencies like MGTC can help SMEs fund their transition to green practices and secure crucial MyHijau certification.
The next phase of growth for Malaysian SMEs requires a change of mindset—seeing ESG not only as a compliance burden but as a market advantage.