KUALA LUMPUR: Magnate Media Sdn Bhd, the media house of The Exchange Asia, has officially announced a strategic partnership with the ESG Association Malaysia (ESGAM) – launching the ESG PLUS Awards 2025. The signing ceremony, held on 16 April 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, was attended by media, industry leaders, and ESG advocates from across multiple sectors.
This collaboration marks a pivotal milestone in Asia’s ESG journey, with ESGAM formally joining the initiative as the Strategic Advisory and Judging Partner. The partnership is set to elevate the ESG PLUS Awards as a regionally respected recognition platform, reinforcing credibility, transparency, and alignment with global ESG standards.
A Regionally Credible ESG Benchmark
The ESG PLUS Awards 2025 aims to celebrate and spotlight outstanding leadership and innovation across the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) spectrum. With ESGAM’s thought leadership and strategic role in shaping the award framework and evaluation process, the awards are positioned to become a premier ESG recognition platform across Asia.
Representing Magnate Media Sdn Bhd at the ceremony were its Executive Chairman, Dato’ Dr. Muhamad Iqbal Bin Mohamad, CEO, Michelle Lee, and Director, Jasmine Cheung — the driving force behind The Exchange Asia’s growing influence in the regional media and recognition landscape – covering news, business and lifestyle stories,
“This partnership is more than just a collaboration — it’s a commitment to accountability, inclusion, and long-term impact across Asia,” said Jasmine Cheung, Director of Magnate Media. “Through ESG PLUS, we aim to provide not just recognition, but a platform that challenges businesses to lead responsibly, engage meaningfully, and grow sustainably. With ESGAM as our strategic partner, we are confident in creating an avenue that will shape ESG discourse across the region.”
“Being recognised for ESG is more than a badge of honour — it’s a call to continuous action and improvement,” said Adjunct Practice Prof. Cheah Kok Hoong, President of ESGAM. “The ESG PLUS Awards creates a necessary platform for benchmarking, learning, and inspiration across industries. As part of this initiative, ESGAM is proud to bring our council’s collective expertise to ensure the highest standards of integrity and impact are upheld.
ESG is no longer a ‘nice to have’ — it is a business imperative. It is the foundation upon which sustainable growth, stakeholder trust, and long-term value are built. By recognising those who lead in ESG, we not only honour their efforts, but also encourage more organisations to embed responsible practices at the core of their operations.”
ESGAM: A Council of Cross-Industry ESG Champions
ESGAM brings together a diverse and influential council of professionals who are actively shaping ESG transformation across Malaysia and the region. Among its esteemed members that were present at the event were:
- Adjunct Practice Prof. Cheah Kok Hoong, President, ESGAM & Executive Chairman, SteerQuest Sdn Bhd
- Mr Jeffrey Ooi, Deputy President, ESGAM & Founder/Director, Fintech Qriocity Sdn Bhd
- Adjunct Prof. Rina Neoh, Secretary General, ESGAM & Managing Director, Ficus Group Capital Sdn Bhd
- Mr Harry Tan Hui Ann, Treasurer, ESGAM & Managing Director, Pan Kinetics Group
- Mr Tony Ooi Eng Hong, Vice President, ESGAM & Director, Greenpro Newfin Academy Sdn Bhd
- Mr Danny Lee, Vice President, ESGAM & Executive Director, E Tech IT Sdn Bhd
- Dato Eric Ku, Council Member, ESGAM & Executive Director, iTrain Asia Singapore
- Dr. Kevin Ho, Council Member, ESGAM & Business Development Manager, i-Chem Solution Sdn Bhd
- Mr Eric Chong, Honorary Advisor, ESGAM & Chairman of the Board, Boost Connect
- Mr Hong Kok Cheong, Vice President, ESGAM & Director, Strateq Group & Safeguards G4S Sdn Bhd
- Mr Chan Voon Jhin, Council Member, ESGAM & Chief Operating Officer, MMM Digital Sdn Bhd
With representation from digital innovation, fintech, investment, green technologies, chemical engineering, and corporate governance, the ESGAM Council brings authoritative credibility and oversight to the ESG PLUS platform.
Launching ESG PLUS into the Spotlight
The official signing on 16 April 2025 also served as the public launch of the ESG PLUS Awards, with media invited to witness the formation of this material alliance. The platform is designed to attract participation from a wide spectrum of businesses — including public-listed companies, corporates, GLCs, NGOs, SMEs, startups, regional ESG-driven initiatives and even individual advocates.
For public-listed companies and corporates, participating in the ESG PLUS Awards offers a unique opportunity to go beyond compliance and demonstrate real ESG leadership. ESG PLUS serves as a valuable platform to showcase measurable impact, share compelling ESG case studies, and position their brand as a forward-thinking, responsible organisation. In a market increasingly influenced by sustainability and stakeholder scrutiny, being recognised for ESG excellence enhances investor confidence, attracts talent, strengthens stakeholder trust, and sets a benchmark for others to follow.
Through transparent evaluation and high-level visibility, the ESG PLUS Awards enables businesses to tell their ESG story with authenticity, celebrate progress, and inspire collective action across industries. With endorsement from ESG Association Malaysia and strategic support through The Exchange Asia, the programme is set to be a public stage for recognising those who are truly making a difference.
Looking Ahead
Nominations for the ESG PLUS Awards 2025 are now open, with the awards gala scheduled for September 2025. Through The Exchange Asia, Magnate Media will continue to champion purposeful content, high-level industry dialogues, and recognition programmes that matter.
