Sustainability Updates - Compliance with Environmental Laws: Road Towards Achieving a Healthy and Sustainable Triple Bottom Line

Almost every other day on various platforms, we receive feeds and articles on the importance of putting in place Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") policies that contribute towards ethical and responsible way of carrying on business, with the golden mantra on being ‘sustainable’. Recently reported events also demonstrated an increasing shift in investors’ investment criteria and objectives, that place significant emphasis on ESG policy disclosures and compliance with the law in assessing how well the investment will fair in the market. We see companies faced with compliance issues being adversely affected financially, resulting in the loss of goodwill from the negative media coverage given the growing investor sentiment wary of ESG risks. In the most extreme cases, this has come at the risk of losing access to an entire market. From regulatory actions taken by US authorities on Top Glove shipments over concerns of alleged human rights concerns, to the unprecedented ousting of directors at Exxon Mobil by activist investor group Engine No. 1, and ongoing bilateral discussions taking place relating to EU imports of Malaysian palm oil – these incidents demonstrate that both the investors and businesses may have underestimated the ESG imperative at their peril.

In this Update, we take a closer look at some of the environmental law compliance issues frequently encountered in Malaysia.

Guide to Lending and Security in Southeast Asia

We are pleased to bring you the 2021 Regional Guide to Lending and Taking Security in Southeast Asia ("Guide"). This Guide provides a useful overview of key legal and regulatory requirements concerning lending and taking security in Southeast Asia, focusing on Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Leveraging on our experience in carrying out cross-border transactions through our Rajah & Tann Asia network, the Guide gives an overview of the domestic laws across the region and addresses typical key issues and considerations relating to lending and taking security.

Rajah & Tann Asia's Banking and Finance team comes highly recommended by industry commentators and international clients, including multi-national corporations who rely on Rajah & Tann Asia's experienced Banking and Finance practice to advise them on all aspects on finance transactions, including cross-border arrangements. Our strength lies in offering insightful and comprehensive legal advice made available through our Rajah & Tann Asia network of offices, including offices in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.