Yayasan Sime Darby: 40 years of enhancing lives, delivering sustainable impact

Malaysia may be in the infant stage of adopting environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices, but the nation’s ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 highlights its progressive position relative to its Asean counterparts. Presently, many corporations are actively pursuing their ESG programmes, one of them being Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD), the philanthropic arm of Sime Darby Group.

Over the years, the Foundation has expanded its wings from offering scholarships to outstanding individuals to funding impactful conservation, outreach and development programmes, whilst delivering sustainable value through its five pillars: Education, Environment, Community & Health, Sports as well as Arts & Culture.

In a conversation with #biztechasia Dr. Hjh. Yatela Zainal Abidin, Chief Executive Officer of Yayasan Sime Darby touched on the importance of integrating ESG policies and considerations in organizational governance, what corporations can do to advance Malaysia’s sustainability agenda including the Foundation’s efforts to deliver sustainable value through its 5 pillars: Education, Environment, Community & Health, Sports as well as Arts & Culture.

Additionally, Dr Yatela spoke about:

How is Malaysia fairing on a sustainability scale
How corporate Malaysia can lead the way in driving the nation’s commitment towards sustainability
Initiatives undertaken by YSD to promote environmental education through the GLC Demi Rakyat dan Negara’s Jalinan Sejahtera pillar