Call Anytime
News
Malaysian Rubber Council (MRC) CEO Muhammad Eizaaz Muhammad Redzuan (third, left), alongside Plantation and Commodities Deputy Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin (third, right), and Plantation and Commodities deputy secretary general Datuk Razali Mohamad (second, right) at the MREC 2025 officiation on Thursday.
KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 7): The Malaysian Rubber Council (MRC) on Thursday launched three key initiatives to reinforce the rubber industry’s commitment to sustainability, and environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices.
MRC chief executive officer Muhammad Eizaaz Muhammad Redzuan said the initiatives marked a significant shift in the council ’s role, positioning the agency as a strategic enabler of responsible and sustainable growth, beyond its traditional function of promoting exports.
“To build on this momentum, I am proud to announce that MRC will today launch three significant sustainability initiatives,” he said in his welcoming remarks at the Malaysian Rubber Industry ESG Conference (MREC 2025) here.
The first initiative is the “Sustainable Transition for Rubber Industry Development & ESG Fund”, or STRIDE Fund, which builds upon MRC’s existing Hiring Malaysian Workers Fund.
“STRIDE will specifically support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in hiring dedicated sustainability officers and accessing expert ESG consultancy — helping them move from compliance to competitiveness,” he said.
The second initiative involves the launch of a set of guidelines and tools titled “Navigating ESG: A Practical Guide for Rubber and Rubber Products Manufacturers in Malaysia”.
Muhammad Eizaaz said the MRC ESG Guidelines and Self-Regulated Checklist offer a practical starting point for companies seeking to enhance their ESG practices, initiate reporting efforts, and prepare for evolving regulatory requirements.
The third initiative is the “Low Carbon Transition Roadmap for Malaysian Rubber Manufacturers”, designed to serve as a blueprint for companies to begin their decarbonisation journey.
“It will help manufacturers implement meaningful emissions reduction measures, and eventually commit to credible net-zero targets,” he added.
He said the three initiatives together provide a clear and actionable framework for companies to remain relevant, responsible and resilient, while aligning with ESG principles amid a rapidly evolving global landscape.
For full details, see the original article: STRIDE Fund: Helping SMEs Transition with ESG & Change Management
KUALA LUMPUR, MY / ACCESS Newswire / July 24, 2025 / The Sustainability & ESG Association Malaysia ("SEAM") , a new national platform uniting ESG practitioners, corporates, government agencies, and policy architects, held its soft launch today at The Mid Valley City, Kuala Lumpur. Founded by experienced sustainability and ESG professionals , SEAM aims to drive meaningful ESG adoption through real-world implementation, not just reporting.
L - R: Mr. Alex Yeoh Vice, President of SEAM and Mr. Liang Yit Wen, Founding President of SEAM
The association's cornerstone is the IDEA-C Framework - a structured approach designed to help corporates identify ESG opportunities, diagnose gaps, engineer solutions, activate change, and communicate measurable impact. SEAM fills a critical market gap by connecting ESG-certified professionals and solution providers with businesses seeking verified, scalable sustainability practices.
With Malaysia's 12th Malaysia Plan and global sustainability trends pressing companies toward net-zero targets, SEAM will also function as a key knowledge partner to government agencies in developing ESG-related policies, frameworks, and standards tailored to the local context.
Mr. Liang Yit Wen, Founding President of SEAM said, "In today's ESG landscape, we see a persistent disconnect - corporates are eager to act but struggle to find credible, implementation-ready solutions, while many ESG innovators lack access to the right decision-makers within organisations. SEAM is here to close that loop. We provide a trusted, neutral platform that brings both sides together, helping businesses take action confidently, and enabling solution providers to scale their impact. Our aim is to turn ESG from ambition into execution, and from pledges into measurable value."
As part of its future initiatives, SEAM also aims to facilitate access to sustainable finance by working with capital providers to support members' eligibility for Green Loans and sustainability-linked financing. By enabling businesses to validate and communicate ESG performance through structured metrics and verified outcomes, SEAM strengthens their case for green funding, helping to unlock the capital needed for meaningful climate action and operational transformation.
Mr. Alex Yeoh, Vice President of SEAM said, "ESG is no longer just a reporting exercise, it's a strategic lever for business growth. Through SEAM's ecosystem model, we ensure that sustainability solutions don't just tick boxes but actually create commercial value. Whether it's unlocking new revenue streams, attracting top talent, improving risk profiles or enhancing stakeholder trust, we help corporates embed ESG in a way that drives both organisational resilience and planetary well-being."
Mr. Martin Heng, Secretary of SEAM said, "Malaysia's ESG movement is at a tipping point, and we believe that collaboration is the catalyst. Our upcoming national conference in December will serve as a Sustainability ‘action lab' - a space where policymakers, technologists, investors, and practitioners can converge to accelerate tangible progress. From green financing and digital tools to regulatory readiness, it's about connecting the dots and helping Malaysia lead with action, not just aspiration."
The soft-launch event previewed SEAM's upcoming activities, including:
- Capacity building programs (training, webinars, certification pathways)
- Corporate and industry engagement (roadshows, awards, ESG networking)
- Policy consultation and think tanks
- International trade missions and cross-border ESG collaborations
- Youth empowerment programs and community grants
SEAM's membership is open to ESG-certified professionals, consultants, implementors, compliant corporates, and relevant institutional alliances. The association will also work closely with stakeholders such as regulators, certification bodies, and capital market players.
SEAM's long-term vision is to be the trusted association for shaping world-class sustainability and ESG policies and to position Malaysia as a regional sustainability leader through public-private collaboration.
ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY & ESG ASSOCIATION MALAYSIA (SEAM)
SEAM is a non-profit action hub accelerating ESG implementation through its IDEA-C Framework. Founded by experienced sustainability and ESG professionals and partnering with Malaysia-based Investor Relations firm Swan Consultancy Sdn. Bhd., SEAM aims to drive meaningful ESG adoption through real-world implementation, not just reporting. Its mission is to make Malaysia a global sustainability leader by connecting solution providers with corporates, investors, and policymakers.
For more information, please visit:
Website: www.SEAM.org.my
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/seam-org-my/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/seam.org.my/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/seam.org.my/
Hashtag: #SEAMIDEA4Impact #SEAM #ESG #sustainability
Issued By: Swan Consultancy Sdn. Bhd. on behalf of Sustainability & ESG Association Malaysia
For more information, please contact:
Jazzmin Wan
Email:
Xinyi Ching
Email:
SOURCE: The Sustainability & ESG Association Malaysia
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
For full details, see the original article: Sustainability & ESG Association Malaysia (SEAM) Launches