- Gold Award in the “Outstanding ESG Performance and Dividend Return” category
- Recognised as one of the top ESG performers among Malaysian Public Listed Companies
Hektar Asset Management Sdn. Bhd., the Manager of Hektar Real Estate Investment Trust (Hektar REIT), is proud to announce that Hektar REIT has received the Gold Award for “Outstanding ESG Performance and Dividend Return” at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2024. This recognition celebrates the trust’s exceptional commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, as well as strong dividend returns.
The awards ceremony, held at the Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur, was attended by prominent figures including Datuk Seri Fadillah bin Yusof, Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, who officiated the event.
The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2024 recognise leaders in ESG across two categories: Public Listed Companies (PLCs) and funds. The evaluation process for the PLC category is data-driven, with FTSE Russell playing a critical role in assessing the ESG practices of the nominees, while Morningstar evaluates funds based on its Sustainability Rating. The awards aim to promote ESG adoption among Malaysian businesses, fostering transparency and global competitiveness.
Hektar REIT was awarded in the Outstanding ESG Performance and Dividend Return category, which acknowledges companies that consistently deliver strong ESG results alongside impressive dividend returns over a five-year period. This category highlights companies that successfully balance sustainability with strong financial performance.
Zainal Iskandar Ismail, CEO of Hektar Asset Management Sdn. Bhd., expressed his pride, stating, “We are honoured to receive this award, reflecting our dedication to integrating ESG principles into our business model. We believe in balancing profitability with responsible environmental and social practices to create long-term value for all stakeholders, including our unitholders and the communities we serve.”
Hektar REIT’s achievements in sustainability include maintaining energy consumption despite a 4.7% increase in portfolio occupancy and a 10% rise in foot traffic across six shopping centres. The trust also reduced Scope 1 emissions by 40% and Scope 2 emissions by 26%, demonstrating its commitment to lowering its environmental footprint while driving occupancy and growth.
This recognition aligns with the mission of The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards to encourage greater ESG adoption among PLCs and funds, in collaboration with Bursa Malaysia and UOB Malaysia. The event also highlighted the importance of sustainability practices in response to growing global regulatory frameworks like the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
Looking ahead, Hektar REIT has adopted the UNGC’s Forward Faster Initiative, focusing on decarbonisation, digitalisation, and sustainable innovation as key pillars of its ESG leadership. The trust remains committed to balancing growth and sustainability to build a better future for its stakeholders.
For more information about Hektar REIT and its ESG initiatives, visit Hektar REIT Official Website.