Madani Business Awards 2025 to Recognize Socially Impactful Businesses
For the first time, the Madani Business Awards 2025 will celebrate Malaysian entrepreneurs and corporations that have successfully combined commercial success with social impact.
Organised by the Dewan Perdagangan Islam Malaysia Selangor (DPIM Selangor) in collaboration with the Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan and Yayasan Generasi Malaysia, the inaugural awards ceremony will be held on 28 November 2025 at Intercontinental Kuala Lumpur. The event aims to highlight organisations and leaders contributing to community well-being and inclusive national development.
Chairman of the Organising Committee Mohd Yahya Mat Sahri said the awards reflect the organisers’ commitment to promoting responsible business practices in line with the Malaysia Madani framework.
"The Madani Business Awards recognise entrepreneurs who achieve commercial success while creating positive societal impact, based on the six Malaysia Madani values: Sustainability, Well-being, Innovation, Respect, Confidence, and Compassion," he said.
Aligned with the theme ‘Excellence With Values’, the awards emphasise Compassion and Trustworthiness as guiding principles to ensure businesses benefit society fairly, ethically, and responsibly.
The recognition evaluates organisational excellence in business strategy, growth, and best practices. Assessment is conducted by an advisory board and expert panels using financial, operational, and long-term sustainability indicators to ensure a transparent and thorough process.
Key categories include the Premier Excellence Award, Industry Excellence Award, Corporate & Entrepreneur Icon Award, and Honorary Award. Media organisations and social media influencers promoting positive values will also be recognised.
Recognition also extends to businesses that adopt digital technology to enhance efficiency, customer experience, and competitiveness in Malaysia’s economic landscape.
Candidates must have operated for at least three years and undergo a rigorous evaluation of performance, governance, innovation, and social contribution by expert panels, supported by a research team.
"This initiative demonstrates how responsible business practices can go hand in hand with commercial success," added Mohd Yahya.
The awards ceremony supported by the Prime Minister’s Department and several ministries aligns with the Malaysia Madani aspiration by driving responsible innovation, enhancing community well-being, and contributing to an inclusive, sustainable, and competitive economy.
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HADA LABO’S ‘SENDING LOVE & CARE TO NATURE’ CSR INITIATIVE MARKS SIXTH YEAR JOURNEY WITH GREEN INITIATIVE AT UPM AND UPSI
Building on five successful years of environmental conservation, Hada Labo will plant 1,500 Kelat Paya (Syzygium myrtifolium) trees across the campuses. The initiative aims to enhance air quality, promote biodiversity, and create cooler, healthier learning environments for students while benefiting the surrounding community.
“Urban tree-planting is more important than ever as cities face rising temperatures, pollution, and shrinking green spaces. By nurturing sustainable environments on campus, Hada Labo hopes to inspire students to embrace environmental responsibility and build a greener future,” said Lim Mei Yuen, General Manager of Rohto-Mentholatum Malaysia.
The initiative leverages the expertise of MNS and the support of Watsons Malaysia’s extensive retail network to maximise impact. Together, these partnerships ensure that tree-planting efforts deliver real environmental benefits while also raising awareness of sustainability among students and the public.
From the academic front, the universities collaborators embraced the project as a valuable learning opportunity. Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM recognises the initiative as an avenue to translate sustainability concepts into real-world practice. The programme aligns closely with the university’s ongoing efforts to advance research and innovation in agriculture and environmental stewardship, while fostering greater ecological awareness among students.
Meanwhile, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) continues to see its strong participation, where the initiative builds upon last year’s success. The hands-on experience has encouraged students to take an active role in sustainability practices and view their involvement as part of a broader movement towards a greener future.
The program is funded through a RM50,000 contribution from Hada Labo, generated from product sales at Watsons Malaysia. This underscores the brand’s commitment to giving back to the community while advancing environmental causes.
Since its launch in 2020, the ‘Sending Love & Care to Nature’ campaign has planted more than 6,800 trees nationwide. The initiative continues to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Climate Action (SDG 13) and Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), showcasing Hada Labo’s long-term dedication to both the environment and community well-being.
For more information or to support the ‘Sending Love & Care to The Nature’ campaign, kindly log on to https://hadalabo.com.my/ or visit the official Hada Labo Malaysia Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MyHadaLabo/.
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China (Yulin) – Malaysia Economic and Trade Cooperation Matchmaking Conference
Vice Mayor of Yulin leads high-level delegation to foster trade and investment in Kuala Lumpur
The China (Yulin) – Malaysia Economic and Trade Cooperation Matchmaking Conference was successfully held today at JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur, marking a significant milestone in the economic partnership between Yulin City, Shaanxi Province, and Malaysia.
Led by Mr. Yang Yang, Vice Mayor of Yulin City, the event was attended by senior government officials and business representatives from both nations, highlighting a shared commitment to deepening collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This conference also marked the first official delegation from Yulin to Southeast Asia, and the first-ever Economic and Trade Cooperation Matchmaking Conference held by the city in Malaysia.
The conference aimed to introduce Yulin’s economic potential and investment environment to Malaysian enterprises, capitals, and industrial partners, while exploring new opportunities for trade, industrial cooperation, and cultural exchange.
“This year marks the beginning of a new Golden 50 Years of China–Malaysia diplomatic relations. Just as the ancient Silk Road connected our civilizations, today’s Belt and Road Initiative opens a new chapter for mutual prosperity,” said Vice Mayor Yang Yang during his keynote address.
Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation and City-Level Partnership
During the visit, Yulin City also meet with ECERDC and BPEN, marking the first such initiative between Yulin and a Southeast Asian region. This step paves the way for long-term collaboration in trade, culture, tourism, and education between both sides.
The delegation also met with key Malaysian political, business, and industry associations to explore cooperation in areas including energy, manufacturing, modern agriculture, new materials, and green energy.
Yulin’s delegation included senior officials such as Ren Xiaochun, Director of the Bureau of Foreign Affairs and Economic Cooperation, Liu Jun, Director of theBureau of Commerce, and Qiao Jie, Director of the Bureau of Science and Technology, along with representatives from multiple districts, counties, and industrial zones.
Yulin: An Emerging Economic Powerhouse in Northwest China
Located in the northernmost part of Shaanxi Province, Yulin City serves as a strategic hub connecting five provinces — Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, Shanxi, and Inner Mongolia — and is a key player in China’s energy and chemical industries.
In 2024, Yulin’s GDP exceeded RMB 750 billion, ranking it among the top-performing non-provincial capital cities in central and western China. The city is also renowned for its world-class energy reserves, modern industrial parks, and growing sectors in hydrogen energy, magnesium - aluminium manufacturing, and eco-tourism.
Beyond its industrial strength, Yulin is also celebrated as a National Forest City and the birthplace of Loess Plateau culture, demonstrating its success in balancing economic growth with ecological conservation.
Deepening China–Malaysia Economic Synergy
The conference underscored Malaysia’s strategic role as a Southeast Asian partner in the Belt and Road framework, emphasizing the complementary strengths between Yulin’s resources and Malaysia’s industrial and technological expertise.
Malaysia’s advanced manufacturing, energy, and higher education sectors were identified as potential collaborators with Yulin’s fast-growing industries, setting the stage for mutually beneficial investments, technology exchange, and talent cooperation.
“As Yulin’s development resonates with Malaysia’s growth ambitions, this conference serves as a bridge for future collaboration — transforming friendship into concrete partnerships,” added Vice Mayor Yang Yang.
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Cochlear Marks 30 Years in Malaysia and ASEAN with the Launch of Smart Hearing Implant
Cochlear, the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, celebrates 30 years in Malaysia and ASEAN with the launch of the Cochlear™ Nucleus® Nexa® System – the smart cochlear implant system in Malaysia. The implant features internal memory and upgradeable firmware, allowing recipients to access future innovation through firmware updates.
The celebration underscores Cochlear’s long-term commitment to advancing hearing health and accessibility in Malaysia and ASEAN. Since establishing its presence three decades ago, Cochlear has played a pivotal role in supporting thousands of Malaysians and over 10,000 in the ASEAN region living with hearing loss, from children to adults seeking to connect and reconnect to the world of sound.
“Our 30th anniversary is a moment to renew our promise: to ensure that the journey of every person with hearing loss is supported by the smart technology and the most dedicated team in Malaysia and ASEAN,” said Stuart Sayers, President, Asia Pacific & Latin America, Cochlear.
“Malaysia is an integral part of our global ecosystem, from innovation and manufacturing to service and community support. The launch of the Cochlear Nucleus Nexa System symbolises both our heritage and our future, a commitment to progress and improving lives through sound, he continued.”
The Cochlear Nucleus Nexa System introduces a new era of smart implant technology. Built on over a decade of intensive research and development, it features upgradeable firmware and internal memory that allow users to access future innovations. The system enables updates and personalised hearing settings that can be securely stored and transferred to a new Nucleus Nexa Sound Processor, a first in hearing implant technology.
Cochlear has worked alongside Malaysia’s hearing-health community since 1995, including audiologists, surgeons, speech therapists and partner hospitals, to deliver life-changing outcomes for patients of all ages. Through its innovation and collaboration, Cochlear continues to empower individuals to help them hear, connect, and fully participate in life.
In 2022, Cochlear expanded its global manufacturing facility in Kuala Lumpur to meet growing international demand for hearing implant technology. The RM30 million investment created over 270 new job opportunities and strengthened Malaysia’s position as one of the company’s eight global operations overseeing the design, development, manufacture and supply of the Australian-headquartered company.
The expanded 50,000-square-foot facility houses global logistics, supply chain and information technology operations, supporting Cochlear’s production and distribution to more than 180 countries worldwide. It also contributes to the company’s sustainability goals, operating on 100 per cent renewable energy as part of Cochlear’s global target to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, aligning with Malaysia’s vision of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Cochlear has helped more than 750,000 people globally, earning recognition as the most trusted healthcare company by Newsweek’s World’s Most Trustworthy Companies 2024 list.
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