Malaysian Firms Urged to Prove Excellence Beyond Profit

Malaysian companies honoured at the 13th ACES Awards 2026 were recognised for pairing commercial success with responsible leadership. The organisers argue that sustaining these practices, rather than winning once, will define the next phase of corporate excellence in Asia.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Profit alone no longer defines corporate excellence. As expectations grow around sustainability, governance and long-term resilience, Malaysian companies are being judged on how responsibly they lead, not just how fast they grow.

That shift was the focus of the 13th Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability (ACES) Awards 2026, held in Kuala Lumpur on 15 and 16 October. Under the theme 'Beyond Business', the event honoured companies that combine commercial success with responsible leadership, people development and lasting value.

The organisers, MORS Group, say the aim goes further than celebrating winners. The awards are meant to identify businesses that are setting new benchmarks for excellence.

Malaysian Honourees

Pacific Inter-Link Sdn Bhd was named among Asia's Most Influential Companies in both 2024 and 2026. Its Chairman and Group CEO, Dato' (Dr) Fouad Hayel Saeed Anam, also received the Outstanding Leaders in Asia award.
Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad was named Industry Champions of the Year.
YTY Industry Sdn Bhd won the Sustainability Rising Star Award.
Sunway Medical Centre Penang was recognised among Premier Healthcare Providers in Asia.

Dr Shanggari Balakrishnan, chief executive officer of MORS Group, said Malaysia is showing that competitiveness and responsible leadership can strengthen one another. She added that companies recognised across several editions demonstrate the value of sustaining excellence rather than treating it as a one-off achievement.

Going Beyond the Awards

MORS Group is building an ecosystem around its awards that spans recognition, research, sustainability advisory, strategic communications and technology. Its platforms include ACES Institute, Aubrens, Beacons and MORS Technologies.

A Regional Reach

The 2026 edition drew 1,238 nominations from 35 countries across 45 industries. The organisations represented have revenues exceeding US$500 billion and workforces of more than one million employees.

The organisers argue that the real test now is whether the practices of leading firms can raise standards across Asia, making responsible leadership a defining feature of business rather than an optional extra.