By Murniati Abu Karim
Photos by Ikhwan Hashim and Shahiddan Saidi
BANGI, 31 July 2026 – Authentic leaders are needed to ensure Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) becomes more than a compliance exercise.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dato’ Dr. Sufian Jusoh said organisations need leaders who make decisions based not only on business performance, but also on the long-term well-being of society and the environment while upholding good governance.
“Authentic leadership plays an important role in leading organisations, universities, corporations, countries, and regions into the unknown and unpredictable future.
“We need business leaders who can guide their organisations in facing the more challenging global trends, and whom we can trust in their outlook on the welfare of their stakeholders, their organisations, workers, and society.
“Authentic business leaders will bring new ideas and influence, creating inspiration, motivating the organisation, fostering intellectual stimulation and offering individualised consideration,” he said.
Prof Sufian added that this broader approach is reflected in the concept of Inclusive and Responsible Business and Investment (IRBI), developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
He said IRBI promotes good governance, environmental sustainability and social inclusivity, complementing existing ESG and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) frameworks.
Earlier this week, UKM co-organised the MAPAN ESG Summit 2026, a national platform that brought together government agencies, industry leaders and academics to accelerate Malaysia’s ESG agenda.
The summit was officiated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, Datuk Dr. Haji Fadillah Yusof.
During the summit, UKM also launched its AI-powered ESG Advisory platform designed to help organisations strengthen their sustainability strategies through more comprehensive ESG assessments.
Prof. Sufian said the launch reflects UKM’s continued commitment to developing ESG talent, advancing research and providing practical solutions for organisations navigating the sustainability landscape.
“ESG Advisory platform integrates internationally recognised ESG standards, enabling organisations to conduct more comprehensive ESG assessments and strengthen their sustainability practices.
“The platform combines various internationally recognised ESG standards to help organisations implement ESG assessments and practices more effectively,” he said.
He added that UKM fully supports the ESG agenda and has implemented several initiatives to strengthen human capital development in this field.
“Among these initiatives is the Professional ESG Certificate, previously delivered in collaboration with Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and developed together with the OECD to equip professionals with internationally recognised ESG competencies.
“To further expand access to ESG education, UKM will soon introduce a Master’s programme in ESG through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) under the Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI).
“The programme is designed to enable ESG practitioners in Malaysia and abroad to pursue postgraduate studies while remaining in the workforce,” he concluded.
