Singapore, 22 March 2019: On 21 March 2019, BCSD Malaysia (BCSDM) held the third session of its Breakfast Talk Series, this time in collaboration with SHEMSI Sdn Bhd and the sunway (https://digitaldirectory.totalagrisolutions.in) Innovation Labs (Sunway iLabs). The session was attended by 69 participants, including Dato’ Kok Wee Kiat, a past President of BCSDM and Dato’ Tan Kia Loke, Senior Managing Director at Sunway Berhad.
The session kicked off with a short introduction to the day’s venue sponsor, Sunway iLabs, by its Director, Mr Matthijs Geert-Jan Van Leeuwen. Mr Ng Hon Seng, BCSDM Honorary Secretary, then proceeded to introduce BCSDM’s recent efforts and activities, before the session moved on to the main talk by WBCSD Chair Mr Sunny Verghese.
In his talk on ‘Putting Sustainability at the Heart of your Business’, Mr Verghese highlighted his observations and thoughts as CEO of Olam International, a leading business integrating sustainability in its operations. He touched on the challenges businesses now face in managing the impacts of their operations within the nine planetary boundaries, as well as in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. He also emphasized various factors businesses must consider regarding adopting sustainability principles. He urged all attendees to not delay sustainability efforts or acting for the benefit of their business and society in the future.
The Talk was then followed by a Q&A session. Questions included what BCSDM’s plans are for specific issues, for example on encouraging the use of industrialized building systems (IBS) in Malaysia and sustainability issues in the palm oil sector. Mr Verghese encouraged the attendees to ensure that such issues are championed and highlighted to the respective bodies and platforms via BCSDM in its capacity as a business council representing Malaysian businesses.