SMG wins silver in best digital publisher at MDA D-Award 2025
Wang (second from right) and Wee (fifth from left) posing with SMG representatives at the MDA D-Awards 2025, which recognised the media company as a catalyst in Malaysia's ESG journey.
PETALING JAYA: Star Media Group (SMG) has been awarded silver for 'Best Digital Publisher of the Year' at the MDA D-Awards 2025.
It recognises the group's role in using journalism to accelerate ESG awareness and action through StarESG, its dedicated editorial platform for environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues.
Organised by the Malaysian Digital Association (MDA), the D-Awards has been a pivotal platform to recognise and honour talents, agencies, brands, publishers and digital service providers that adopt and lead in the use of digital technologies.
This award recognition reflects SMG's role as a catalyst in Malaysia's ESG journey – translating complex sustainability issues into accessible, impactful narratives that shape public understanding and support more informed, responsible decisions.
SMG's chief operating officer Lydia Wang said journalism continues to play an important role in informing and supporting progress on key national priorities.
'We see journalism not just as a tool to inform, but a platform to enable progress.
'This award reinforces our commitment to use our reach and credibility to foster thoughtful dialogue, shape greater understanding, and support national ESG goals.
'As a long-standing media organisation, we see it as our responsibility and privilege to support national progress through credible, purposeful storytelling,' she said after the award conferment at One World Hotel yesterday.
SMG senior general manager Elicia Wee said: 'We're deeply honoured by this recognition.
'There has been growing momentum around ESG, and we saw an opportunity to support that movement by offering credible, contextualised insights through StarESG.
'Our goal has always been to make sustainability conversations more accessible – not just through information, but through content that enables clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.'
Since its launch in April 2022, StarESG has grown into Malaysia's leading ESG editorial platform. The platform has published over 350 articles and 30 executive insights, featuring regulatory updates, localised case studies, and global trends.
Its learning arm, StarESG Academy, has trained more than 1,350 professionals, supporting the corporate sector in building ESG literacy and readiness.
In 2024, SMG hosted the inaugural ESG Positive Impact Awards, honouring Malaysian companies for their leadership in sustainability.
Widely regarded as a credible benchmark for ESG excellence, the awards reflect a rigorous evaluation process and strong industry recognition.
That same year, SMG also founded the Asia ESG Positive Impact Consortium (A-EPIC)—a first-of-its-kind regional media alliance with Indonesia's KG Media and the Philippines' Inquirer Group, launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to promote Asean-wide ESG collaboration and accountability.
By embedding purpose into reporting and building an integrated ESG ecosystem, SMG is redefining the role of legacy media — not merely as an observer of change, but as a catalyst for impact.
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