Leverage Digitalisation To Enhance ESG Transparency, Governance -- Akmal Nasrullah

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Malaysia must leverage digitalisation to enhance data transparency in environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting, strengthen governance mechanisms to boost investor confidence, and invest in human capital for a workforce that is ready for tomorrow’s energy technologies.

Deputy Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the ESG transition is not merely an environmental agenda, but an economic redefinition that will determine Malaysia’s competitive position in the global marketplace.

“For Malaysia, the next big step lies in aligning national transformation with global opportunity.

“This will require continued collaboration among policymakers, regulators, financiers, and industry players,” he said in his keynote speech titled “Malaysia’s Next Big Step?” at the ESG and Sustainability Conference 2025 here today.

Akmal Nasrullah said Malaysia’s next major step must be grounded in a clear understanding of the guiding principle behind all decisions -- the “energy trilemma”.

He said this trilemma defines the balancing act between three equally critical priorities, namely energy security, affordability, and sustainability.

bootstrap slideshow

Akmal opined that achieving this balance is the essence of Malaysia’s energy transition strategy, and it is this equilibrium that will determine the credibility and durability of the country’s next big step forward.

“Through the National Energy Transition Roadmap, the government has charted a decisive course to achieve seventy per cent renewable energy in our installed capacity by 2050. 

“This is not merely a numeric goal but a transformation blueprint that harmonises three guiding principles -- energy security, affordability, and sustainability -- which together form the foundation of our energy trilemma," he said.

Meanwhile, CGS International Singapore group head of sustainability Kevin Lee said the conference explored five crucial areas in shaping the collective future, namely green energy and nuclear opportunities, carbon tax, equality, cybersecurity, and water, as Malaysia considers nuclear power as part of its clean energy transition.

“Together, we can help Malaysia and the ASEAN region transition towards a cleaner energy mix and provide more equitable workspaces and safeguard our digital and natural ecosystem,” he said in his welcoming remarks.

The ESG and Sustainability Conference 2025, hosted by CGS International Securities Malaysia Sdn Bhd, gathered policymakers, industry leaders, and sustainability experts to discuss action plans to accelerate Malaysia’s transition towards a net-zero economy by 2050. 

The event also saw the official launch of the Thematic Report on Nuclear for Malaysia’s Energy Transition, jointly developed by CGS International Securities Pte Ltd and Panmure Liberum, a United Kingdom-based investment bank.

In a separate statement, CGS International said the thematic report examines the potential role of nuclear energy in Malaysia’s long-term energy transition, security, and climate strategy. 

-- BERNAMA