KAO Malaysia made its first appearance at the eighth Sustainable Brands Conference by revealing its Kao Kirei Lifestyle business concept as well as initiatives for Malaysian sustainability and women’s empowerment. This year’s conference subject was “Regenerating Local,” with famous experts from across the world weighing in on the definition of “local” from a number of perspectives, as well as how companies define regeneration. In addition to the traditional plenary and panel sessions, this conference offered hands-on workshops for the first time.
Ms. Tan Poh Ling, Vice President, Marketing, Kao Malaysia, spoke about Kao Malaysia’s efforts and initiatives to empower and assist women, which have long taken root in Malaysian communities. Since 1994, Laurier has been a friend to many young Malaysian girls, with its “Yakinlah Menjadi Remaja” program, which encourages and educates young girls about menstruation hygiene, reaching over two million students in 8,000 schools.
It was truly an honor for me to represent Kao at the Sustainable Brands Conference. As marketers, I firmly believe that we have a responsibility to integrate sustainable angles into our brand strategies. And the most impactful way in which to do that is by tackling issues that are most relevant to the communities in which we live and work,” Tan Poh Ling said.
“Based on our core value of walking the right path, and building upon the foundation of respecting human rights, Kao believes that women’s empowerment is essential for the company to grow, given that diversity is one of the most crucial aspects of human capital. It was inspiring to discuss this subject within the context of our Laurier Brand – in line with Kao’s Commitment to advocating confidence as a key factor in the development and success of women.”
The “Yakinlah Menjadi Remaja” program has grown since its beginning, thanks to the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) as a main delivery partner. The ‘Laurier School of Confidence’ project intends to not only build confidence in young women, but also to provide qualifying students with RM1,500 in the form of a National Education Savings Scheme (Simpan SSPN) account.
Commemorating 50 Years of Caring for Malaysians
Kao Malaysia earlier this year marked its 50th year of operations in Malaysia by bringing its Kirei Lifestyle plan closer to consumers. The Kirei Lifestyle Plan builds on Kao’s corporate philosophy—The Kao Way—with a clear-eyed view of the future and the role that Kao Corporation has to play for its customers, communities and the world at large. From introducing product innovations all the way to the environmental impact of the company and its products, these goals are further boosted through initiatives in line with various sustainability goals such as decarbonization, achieving zero waste, conserving water and preventing air and water pollution.
For these and other pertinent initiatives, Kao has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies (and the only Asian firm to make the list every year) by the Ethisphere Institute, a major US think-tank, for 17 straight years. KAO’s Kirei Lifestyle concept goes far beyond environmental issues, including efforts to meet health and social needs.
“Over the past couple of months, we have taken substantive steps in incorporating action points in our Kirei Lifestyle ESG strategy – chief achievements among which includes achieving Zero Waste and championing girls’ and womens’ empowerment in particular,” added Tan Poh Ling. “With the guidance of our Kirei Lifestyle Plan, we aim to develop our business, provide better products and services for consumers and society so that we may together create a beautiful life, today and beyond.”
For more information on Kao’s Kirei Lifestyle Plan, please visit: https://www.kao.com/global/en/sustainability/klp/