CGS International Securities Malaysia Sdn Bhd hss gathered policymakers, corporate leaders, institutional investors and industry specialists at its Fourth ESG and Sustainability Conference themed “Empowering Sustainable Generations”.

Held at the Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur yesterday (Aug 18), the event examined how demographic shifts, rising healthcare costs and energy transitions are fundamentally re-shaping Malaysia’s sustainability agenda.

This year’s conference placed significant emphasis on the sscial pillar of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria and its direct relevance to the financial and economic stability of Malaysians.

Discussions spanned a broad macro-economic spectrum by assessing sustainability from the perspectives of households, corporate entities and the wider economy.

High-level panels addressed Malaysia’s electric vehicle and energy transition, the economic implications of an aging population, estate and inheritance planning and the recalibration of corporate ESG frameworks.

Healthcare affordability

These structural issues increasingly intersect with household finances and national economic resilience.

Rising healthcare expenditure directly impacts disposable income while the transition toward cleaner energy requires a careful balance between sustainability objectives, cost affordability, and national energy security.

Against this backdrop, financial capability remains a critical vulnerability.

According to Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) Financial Capability and Inclusion Demand Side Survey, Malaysia’s Financial Literacy and Capability (MYFLIC) Index registered at 59.1 out of 100 in 2024, a marginal movement from 59.0 in 2021, indicating a sustained need to strengthen financial decision-making frameworks across the population.

“ESG conversations have traditionally placed considerable emphasis on environmental issues but sustainability also has a very direct human dimension,” commented CGS Malaysia’s CEO Khairi Shahrin Arief Baki.

“Healthcare affordability, financial preparedness, energy costs, food security and an ageing population all have implications for how resilient Malaysian households and communities will be over the long term”

Added Khairi Shahrin: “This year, we wanted to bring these issues into the same conversation as business, investment and capital markets. Sustainable growth ultimately needs to translate into stronger businesses, more resilient households and better long-term outcomes for future generations.”

**CGS Malaysia’s CEO Khairi Shahrin Arief Baki (right) with the group’s country head Alan Inn**

Financial literacy assessment

In conjunction with the conference, CGS Malaysia officially launched UP & AWAY!, an interactive financial literacy card game co-developed with Malaysian comic artist and content creator Ernest Ng.

The launch was officiated by Bursa Malaysia Bhd CEO Datuk Fad’l Mohamed alongside Khairi and CGS Malaysia’s country head Alan Inn.

Targeted at secondary school and university students as well as individuals new to capital market concepts, the initiative introduces players to budgeting, wealth accumulation, risk management and market dynamics.

By requiring players to assess financial trade-offs within a simulated environment, the tool moves beyond theoretical education into applied decision-making. CGS Malaysia plans to integrate the game into its upcoming institutional outreach activities across schools and universities with a target of reaching 50,000 young Malaysians by year-end.

The integrated financial services provider which is ranked among the top securities houses in Asia also intends to introduce an online financial literacy assessment to establish a baseline and track participants progress following their engagement with the game.

The afternoon programme examined how Malaysian corporates are actively adjusting their ESG strategies, the mechanics of estate and tax planning in building resilient wealth and the frameworks required to ensure accessible food security for Malaysians.

Participating organisations included Bursa Malaysia, the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC), PwC Malaysia, KPJ Healthcare Bhd, Pharmaniaga Bhd, Agrobank Malaysia and the Malaysian Automotive Association.

The 2026 edition of the ESG and Sustainability Conference reinforces CGS MY’s view that true sustainable development requires progress not only in decarbonisation and environmental transition but also in building robust financial capability and structural resilience across society. – Aug 19, 2026

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