Astro Named Best Performing Media & Telecommunications Company at The Edge Malaysia ESG 2026 Awards

Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd (Astro) has strengthened its position as a leader in environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices after being named the Best Performing Company in the Media & Telecommunications sector at The Edge Malaysia ESG 2026 Awards.

The recognition marks the second consecutive year Astro has been recognised for its ESG performance, following its Gold Award at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2025.

Astro Chief Regulatory & Corporate Affairs Officer Laila Saat said the latest recognition was a meaningful milestone for the company, while also reinforcing its responsibility to use its reach and influence to create a positive impact on society. She said Astro’s ESG efforts extend beyond meeting targets, particularly through its role as a media and content company.

“We are very honoured by this recognition, but for us, ESG is about more than just hitting targets. As a media and content company, we have a responsibility to use our reach and influence positively,” she said.

Over the past year, Astro produced more than 12,000 hours of Voice for Good content, covering areas such as digital safety, inclusivity, responsible media, intellectual property protection and support for Malaysia’s creative ecosystem. Laila added that the award would serve as a reminder for Astro to continue doing more to create a lasting impact in Malaysia.

“We see this award not as an endpoint, but rather as a responsibility to do more and create a meaningful and lasting impact for Malaysia,” she said.

The awards ceremony was also attended by Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, who delivered a speech at the event. The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2026 recognises publicly listed companies and asset management firms that demonstrate strong ESG performance and leadership.

This year’s awards featured two main categories, Publicly Listed Companies and Funds with 36 winners representing 14 sectors.

Astro’s latest recognition adds to its strong ESG track record. Based on FTSE Russell’s FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia Index assessment for December 2025, Astro maintained an ESG score of 4.1 out of 5, placing it in the top 1% of media companies globally with a 100th percentile ranking. Astro is also one of the founding entities of the FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia Index.

On the environmental front, Astro has introduced a Climate Roadmap outlining its phased approach towards decarbonisation. The current strategy focuses on reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, while preparations are also underway to assess Scope 3 emissions.

During FY26, Astro recorded an 8% reduction in energy consumption compared with its FY22 baseline, while total water consumption fell by 24%. The company has also continued working with organisations including WWF-Malaysia, Taman Tugu Malaysia, UN Global Compact Malaysia, PINTAR Foundation and Green Growth Asia Foundation to strengthen environmental awareness and advocacy.

Astro’s social initiatives continue to use its platforms and content to highlight issues affecting communities. Throughout 2026, more than 12,000 hours of Voice for Good content, including public service announcements and ESG-related programming, were broadcast. These efforts include initiatives focusing on women’s empowerment, infertility awareness and mental health.

Astro has also worked with the Malaysian Association of the Blind to improve content accessibility, including through programmes such as Didi & Friends and Meet Your Idol. Its One Voice, One Book, One Nation campaign continues to produce audiobooks for blind and visually impaired children. In education, Astro has partnered with organisations such as Teach For Malaysia to support greater educational equality.

The company has also used sports as a platform to engage young people through initiatives including the Astro Badminton Camp, Sepak Takraw League Clinic and Netball Super League Clinic, reaching more than 4,000 students throughout 2025. Astro employees also surpassed the company’s target of 20,000 volunteer hours over a three-year period through activities such as flood relief, tree planting and community programmes.

On the governance front, Astro continues to focus on areas including cybersecurity, data privacy, tax integrity, transparency, diversity and inclusion, as well as workplace safety. Astro AWANI was also named Malaysia’s most trusted brand for the ninth consecutive year in 2026.

Astro’s appointment to the National Critical Information Infrastructure further highlights its role in supporting the continuity of essential information, communications and digital services. The company is also stepping up its fight against piracy through AI-powered technology to detect, monitor and remove pirated content.

This includes action against online listings of illegal streaming devices and illegal streaming services. Astro has also joined the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment, a global anti-piracy coalition comprising more than 50 media companies, to strengthen international cooperation in combating content piracy.

Overall, Astro’s latest ESG recognition reflects its continued efforts to combine responsible business practices with its influence as a media and entertainment company, while contributing towards a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient Malaysia.