Does Malaysia's Energy Transition Budget Prioritise People?

Budget 2027 commits billions to flood mitigation, water infrastructure and grid upgrades, but does it add up to a coherent ESG strategy or just a collection of well-meaning measures? And can Malaysia pursue growth through data centres and major investments without leaving households and workers beh…

Can Private Capital Put Nature First?

Malaysia faces a significant funding gap in protecting its forests, wildlife and ecosystems, raising questions over whether private capital can play a larger role. On People, Planet, Profit, we explore the potential of nature-based solutions and blended finance, the safeguards needed to prevent gre…

Malaysia’s Water Security Paradox

Malaysia may be rich in water resources, but a new study suggests that abundance alone does not guarantee water security, with Selangor ranking close to the bottom despite its economic importance. On People, Planet, Profit, we examine what conventional measures may be missing, why governance and in…

Is Malaysia Spending Enough on ESG?

Malaysia is preparing for Budget 2027, with climate resilience, clean energy and sustainability expected to remain important priorities. But beyond how much money is allocated, the bigger question is whether ESG spending is delivering measurable results. Where should public funding be targeted, how…

Can Property Firms Prove Their ESG Progress?

Knight Frank Malaysia says it made measurable ESG progress in 2025, from cutting energy consumption and improving recycling to strengthening emissions tracking and investing in its workforce. But as the business grows, some of the hardest challenges increasingly lie beyond its direct control. How c…

Is Climate Anxiety an ESG Problem?

On People, Planet, Profit this week, we examine the growing problem of climate anxiety, particularly among young Malaysians worried about the future they will inherit. We speak to Dr Ooi Wee Liam, Lecturer in Environmental Humanities and Social Science at Monash University Malaysia, about where rat…

Have We Normalised the Unacceptable?

Haze has returned to parts of Malaysia, reviving a problem that has persisted for decades despite repeated promises of action. But the bigger concern may be how easily societies learn to tolerate recurring problems once they become familiar, from environmental pollution and weak corporate accountab…

Building a Sustainability-Minded Workforce

Sustainability and climate change reporting has become a mainstream element of doing business, but how prepared is our workforce to carry out these responsibilities? We discuss the skills and expertise required to ensure businesses are prepared for ESG monitoring with Reenie Koh of KPMG.

Can Countries Unite for Sustainable Development Beyond 2030?

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were launched in 2015 as a master blueprint of shared ambition for the international community covering 17 broad themes. However global progress on the SDGs has fallen woefully short of targets with only 4 years left to the deadline. What needs to be done…

Stretching Every Drop: Rainwater Harvesting

Malaysia is blessed with abundant rainfall, but this could change amid shifting weather patterns induced by a warming climate. How prepared are businesses and households to deal with potential water scarcity? We explore rainwater harvesting as a preemptive strategy for water security with Dr. Chee …