MARC Solutions Sdn Bhd notes that the recognition received by SD Guthrie Berhad (Guthrie) at the Islamic Finance News (IFN) Deals of the Year Awards 2025 reflects the continued progress in the development of sustainability-linked financing within Malaysia’s Islamic capital market.
Guthrie’s RM2.1 billion Sustainability-Linked Sukuk was recognised as the Malaysia Deal of the Year 2025 and Sustainability Deal of the Year 2025 at the IFN Deals of the Year Awards, underscoring the increasing adoption of financing structures that are linked to measurable sustainability outcomes.
MARC Solutions had previously assigned a “Gold” Impact Assessment to Guthrie’s Sustainable Finance Framework, reflecting the strength of Guthrie’s overall approach to integrating sustainability considerations into its financing strategy.
Arshad Mohamed Ismail, Group Chief Executive Officer of Malaysian Rating Corporation Berhad (MARC) and Executive Director of MARC Solutions, said that the dual recognition highlights a broader shift towards performance-based financing structures.
“The strong market response and international recognition received by Guthrie reflects the growing acceptance of sustainability-linked financing structures that are anchored on measurable performance and robust frameworks,” he remarked.
“As the market evolves, greater emphasis on clearly defined and measurable sustainability performance targets, transparent disclosures and credible external assessments will be essential in strengthening investor confidence and supporting the continued development of sustainable finance,” he added.
Renaka Ramachandran, Guthrie’s Chief Business Officer (CBO), remarked, “This landmark issuance is the first of its kind for a plantation company and the largest ringgit and sustainability-linked sukuk in Malaysia to date, reflecting strong market confidence in Guthrie. The recognition from IFN underscores our organisation-wide commitment to advancing sustainability and embedding it into our financing strategy, as we continue to support responsible growth and strengthen sustainability practices across the business.”
Nor Masliza Sulaiman, Chief Executive Officer & Regional Head Investment Banking, CIMB Investment Bank Berhad, remarked, “The successful issuance and recognition of this landmark sustainability-linked sukuk demonstrates the continued advancement of sustainable and Islamic finance solutions within Malaysia’s capital market. Transactions such as these reflect growing issuer and investor interest in financing structures that support measurable sustainability outcomes and long-term value creation.”
MARC Solutions notes that the continued growth of sustainability-linked and transition-focused financing instruments reflects Malaysia’s strengthening position within the global Islamic sustainable finance landscape.