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Stakeholder Panel Opinion
We were invited to participate in GAB’s stakeholder
engagement programme, participating through
interviews and focus groups in providing initial
input for the identification of key issues around
corporate responsibility. We were invited for
a group discussion, and given an opportunity
to comment on the near-final draft of the GAB
Corporate Responsibility Report for 2011.
Each of us has read through the sections related
to the stakeholder groups which we represent:
Community, Employees and Investors. We find
that the report gives a fair and balanced view,
addressing the issues that are material to us. The
summary of meetings provides a good overview
of the topics raised through the stakeholder
engagement process, and the additional narrative
in the report largely addresses the points raised
during the meetings.
For GAB to improve its disclosure and CR Strategy,
we would recommend the following:
• More inclusion of trade partners and
customer concerns. From a commercial
and investor perspective, these are key
stakeholder groups, and disclosure in this
area would be of interest.
• It would be good to see a stronger link
between the various parts of the CR
Strategy. GAB could for example illustrate
how employee retention or environmental
resource savings are linked to profitability.
• We would like GAB to illustrate the value
of community engagement to the Company.
Efforts in Chinese education can create a
strong bond with consumers and may have a
real impact on consumer choices and loyalty.
We would also like to see more involvement
of GAB employees in our Foundation projects
and more communications about the
Foundation activities.
Although the stakeholders we represent may
not always read sustainability reports, we think
that this kind of disclosure can be important in
the medium-to-long-term. In the near future,
the Bursa Malaysia Environmental, Social,
Governance (ESG) index may put more focus on
sustainability disclosure and GAB will be well
prepared. More importantly, the absence of such
disclosure can cast doubts on the Company’s
commitment to CR and sustainability. It assures
us that GAB is committed to sustainability,
and is a testament to the Company’s strong
management across all issues.
For the community: Encik Azli Abu Bakar
and Dr. K. Kalithasan, Global Environment Centre
For employees: Ms Ramjeet-Kaur Virik, GAB
For investors: Ms Moey Su En, UOB Kay Hian
We find that the report gives a fair and balanced view,
addressing the issues that are material to us.
The summary of meetings provides a good overview
of the topics raised through the stakeholder engagement
process, and the additional narrative in the report
largely addresses the points raised during the meetings.
G U I N N E S S A N C H O R B E R H A D
( 5 3 5 0 - X )
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