I learned from Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, Founding Convener of Sejahtera Leadership Initiative (SLI) who attended a 2-day inaugural ESG Summit 2026 on the initiative of Malaysia Association of Public Advocacy for Nature (MAPAN) where Sejahtera has been added to the equation. SLI is indeed encouraged with Malaysia's transition from ESG disclosure to real-world performance is driven by mandatory climate reporting frameworks, new carbon tax penalties, and tightening international export. In 2026, sustainability is no longer an optional corporate branding exercise. It is an essential baseline required to protect global supply chains and access international funding. The Centralized Sustainability Intelligence (CSI) Platform by Bursa Malaysia handles all corporate sustainability disclosures. Manual Excel reporting is obsolete. The National Sustainability Reporting Framework (NSRF) has expanded the mandatory climate reporting list. (dzulrazak@gmail.com)
I am mindful that integrating the indigenous philosophy of Sejahtera into Malaysia's ESG equation shifts the focus from rigid Western corporate compliance to a holistic, human-centric model of sustainable wellbeing. While standard ESG metrics treat environment, social, and governance factors as distinct pillars, Sejahtera binds them together by emphasizing balance, spiritual harmony, and collective responsibility (Insan Sejahtera). When Sejahtera is injected into NSRF and economic agenda, it completely redefines real-world impact across 3 major dimensions: (1) Environmental Stewardship as Interconnected Coexistence, (2) Redefining the “Social” Pillar via Dignity & Living Wages, and (3) Governance Rooted in Shared Value and Integrity. (https://ekonomi.gov.my)
According to Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dzul, “These are well documented in a special volume entitle: MAPAN Sustainability Compass (MSC), launched during the summit as guardrails to meet the desired targets including the bulk of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). As companies are run by people, regardless of the state of digitalization or automation, the MSC therefore narrates the important aspects of ethical, transparent, and honest conduct, chiefly at the individual and spiritual (soul) level needed to uphold the highest level of ESG. Through model like SHARP (Strategic Approach, Holistic Purpose-Driven) aligned to the 5P frameworks (People, Planet, Prosperity, Process & Partnership), as per SDGs, a broader synthesis beyond the conventional ESG is achievable.”
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