Resignation of Two Ministers Will Not Disrupt National ESG Strategy or 13th Malaysia Plan, Says Deputy Minister
KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 – The recent resignations of two key federal ministers will not hinder the progress of Malaysia’s National Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Strategic Plan (NESP) or the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13), as both initiatives are nearing completion, said Deputy Economy Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib.
Speaking to reporters at the Forward Faster 2025 Symposium organized by the UN Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei (UNGCMYB), Hanifah confirmed that RMK-13 is nearly ready to be presented to the Cabinet, while work on the NESP is actively ongoing.
“All ministries are aligned on the importance of ESG, and civil servants are diligently developing the strategy with a clear vision for implementation,” she said when asked about the current status of both national plans.
The RMK-13 document is expected to be tabled in Parliament next month, she added. However, the final timeline for the NESP rollout has yet to be confirmed, especially in light of the resignations of Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli (Minister of Economy) and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability), both effective July 4.
In her keynote address earlier at the symposium, Hanifah said the NESP is designed to align with global ESG frameworks and complements the six pillars of Malaysia’s Strategic Sustainability Framework and Industrial ESG Framework.
“NESP is a comprehensive initiative to guide Malaysian businesses toward ESG compliance and sustainable practices. It aims to gradually support businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), not just in ESG reporting but also in broader compliance efforts,” she explained.
The one-day symposium gathered over 200 participants, including C-suite executives, sustainability practitioners, and business leaders, under the theme “Accelerating Corporate Sustainability Commitments for a Resilient Future.”
The event featured in-depth discussions and high-level dialogues on the evolving role of businesses in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, amid growing economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions.
Malaysian corporate leaders are also increasingly strengthening their ESG commitments, positioning sustainability as a strategic tool to manage risks, drive long-term value, and contribute meaningfully to national development.
— BERNAMA
