KENANGA INVESTMENT BANK BERHAD SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2024 BASIS OF THIS REPORT OUR APPROACH TO SUSTAINABILITY KENANGA AT A GLANCE GOOD GOVERNANCE LEADERSHIP STATEMENTS SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP EMPOWERING PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES APPENDIX 13 12 CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE We continue collaborating with DIA to host unique empathy workshops, led by visually impaired trainers, equipping our employees and agents with perspectives on accessibility, compassion, and communication. Similarly, our ongoing support for Silent Teddies Bakery has expanded beyond product purchases to on-site employee volunteerism, and funding of their café revitalisation project in 2024, which included sponsorships of new equipment and barista training for hearing-impaired teammembers. As a signatory of theWomen’s Empowerment Principles (“WEPs”), we continue to advocate for gender equality and leadership diversity. With women making up 52% of our workforce, we remain resolute in fostering an inclusive environment where talent is recognised and opportunities are equitable. In 2024, we also strengthened our sexual harassment and anti-discrimination policies to provide a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace. At the same time, we organised our inaugural Employee Health Day to reinforce our commitment to holistic wellbeing, providing wellness talks, health screenings, and support systems for our employees. To strengthen workplace safety, we formalised a Group Occupational, Safety and Health Committee, establishing a structured and proactive approach to safeguard our employees. We are proud to have received the Silver Award in the Large Companies Tier at The Star ESG Positive Impact Awards 2023 for Diversity and Inclusion. This recognition reaffirms our leadership in cultivating a workplace where diverse perspectives fuel innovation, resilience, and long-term success. As we move forward, Kenanga’s role as a purpose-driven organisation has never been clearer. We are not just adapting to change, we are driving it through collaboration, inclusion, and a dedication to making a lasting difference. RECOGNITION AND INDUSTRY ACHIEVEMENTS Our strides in advancing ESG have led to continued recognition on both national and international platforms. We are proud to have retained our place on the prestigious FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia Index, with an improved score of 4.2, placing us in the 92nd percentile among Malaysian public listed companies. This achievement reflects our steady progress and serves as both encouragement and a responsibility to further advance our ESG efforts. We are also honoured to be recognised among the Top 20 Overall Excellence Award winners at the National Corporate Governance & Sustainability Awards by the Minority Shareholders Watch Group, as well as to receive Euromoney’s Best for ESG award in the Securities Houses category. These acknowledgements are more than milestones; they remind us that the work we do serves a broader purpose. Beyond accolades, what truly matters is the trust our stakeholders place in us. Each recognition strengthens our resolve to drive meaningful change—not just within our organisation, but across the broader ecosystem. Sustainability is an ongoing journey and we remain committed to staying the course with integrity, accountability, and a shared vision for a better tomorrow. LOOKING AHEAD TO 2025: AMPLIFYING OUR ESG IMPACT As we look towards 2025, we are guided by the understanding that real progress requires thoughtful solutions and continuous efforts. Embedding ESG into the core of our business—and beyond—is a journey that demands resilience, collaboration, and a shared commitment to a more sustainable future. The true impact extends beyond policies and frameworks; it is measured by the trust we cultivate, the awareness we foster, and themeaningful change we drive and inspire across our ecosystem. In the year ahead, we will focus on deepening engagement—not only within our organisation but also with those who walk this path alongside us. Clients, vendors, investors, and communities all play a role in shaping a more responsible and forward-thinking world. Education and empowerment will continue to be central to our approach. As sustainability challenges and opportunities evolve, we must continue equipping ourselves and our stakeholders with the right insights, ensuring that we can adapt, innovate, and lead in a rapidly changing landscape. With our Decarbonisation Roadmap set to take shape in 2025, we remain mindful that transformation does not happen overnight. It requires perseverance, continuous learning, and a commitment to progress. Our vision is clear: to create lasting value, where sustainability is not just a priority but an enduring resolve for generations to come. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to our Founder Emeritus and Advisor, YM Tan Sri Dato’ Paduka Tengku Noor Zakiah Tengku Ismail, for her visionary leadership and constant support. My heartfelt appreciation also goes to the Group Sustainability Management Committee, led by Datuk Chay Wai Leong, whose dedication continues to drive our sustainability agenda forward. I am equally grateful to our employees for their tireless efforts and resilience in a dynamic and challenging environment. To our clients, business partners, suppliers and shareholders, thank you for your continued trust and collaboration. Lastly, I wish to acknowledge our regulators, including Bank Negara Malaysia, Bursa Malaysia and the Securities Commission Malaysia, for their invaluable guidance and support. Q&A WITH OUR GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR AND CHAIRMAN OF THE GROUP SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE DATUK CHAY WAI LEONG Group Managing Director Q1 Beyond regulatory requirements, how does Kenanga measure the success of its sustainability efforts, and how do you ensure accountability? As a financial services player, regulatory compliance is crucial to our operations. In addition to guidance from regulators, we also adopt globally recognised ESG benchmarks to quantify our progress. Our continued inclusion onto FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia Index, one of the world’s first global ESG index families is a testament to our ESG performance. In the most recent December assessment cycle, our ESG score rose to 4.2, placing us in the 92nd percentile among the Malaysian public listed companies. To ensure accountability and execution, we have integrated ESG goals and targets into our Balanced Scorecard framework, making sustainability a performance-driven priority across the organisation. These targets are cascaded from leadership to business units, aligning sustainability objectives with key operational metrics. This ensures that ESG considerations are embedded in decision-making, risk management, and long-term strategic planning. Q2 As ESG scrutiny intensifies, how does Kenanga ensure its sustainability initiatives are credible and not just box-ticking exercises? Greenwashing is a real risk, and we take a proactive stance to ensure transparency and accuracy. Our ESG disclosures are supported by clear methodologies, third-party verification, and alignment with global reporting standards. We also actively engage with investors and regulators to enhance our ESG data quality and avoid misleading claims. Since 2023, we have appointed SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd, a leading national certification, inspection, and testing body, to independently verify key indicators in our Sustainability Report, reinforcing our commitment to credible, traceable, and high-quality disclosures.
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