The Star Outstanding Business Awards 2022 is established to promote excellence and stimulate positive competition, showcasing achievements attained by outstanding businesses. In addition, SOBA 2022 aims to:

• To recognise the role and contributions of outstanding local businesses towards the nation and the economy;
• To motivate and inspire home-grown businesses to aim for productivity thus excellence in their products and services;
• To celebrate and highlight the achievements of local enterprises that have contributed to the growth of the community; and
• To inspire and encourage local businesses to promote Malaysia and showcase its products and services to the world.

SOBA is unique because the awards are not sectoral in nature and SOBA has unearthed credible trailblazers in the Malaysian business community for the past 13 years.

Since inception, over 600 awards have been presented till date and SOBA has been meticulous in selecting their awardees every year. Particular attention will be given to local businesses that export their products or services, as they help to promote Malaysia as a global centre of commercial excellence. It is envisaged that those who are awarded The Star Outstanding Business Awards 2022 are looking towards listing on Bursa Malaysia in the not too distant future.

The awards are further sub-categorised into companies that have sales turnover of up to or RM25 million & above respectively. This is to recognise the achievements of upcoming small-medium businesses and start-ups as they compete on a level playing field in the awards.

There are eleven (11) awards in two (2) broad categories, but you may apply for more than one category.

Top-Of-The-Class Awards (up to RM25mil turnover & RM25mil & above turnover)

• Best Brand
• Best in CSR
• Best in Customer Service
• Best in e-Retail
• Best Employer
• Best Green Initiative
• Best Halal Product/Service
• Best Innovation
• Best in Marketing
• Best in Retail
• Best Use of Technology

Outstanding Achievement Awards

• Rising Star
• Entrepreneur of the Year (Male / Female / Young )
• Elite Entrepreneur of the Year
• Malaysian Business of the Year

In order to qualify as an applicant for any of the award categories other than the Rising Star Award, local enterprises must meet the following requirements:

• Not part of a multinational* group;
• Not a listed entity**;
• Incorporated in Malaysia in accordance with the Companies Act, 2016^{^};
• Foreign equity holding does not exceed 50%*;
• Company has not submitted any proposal for initial public offering (IPO) up to the closing date of SOBA which is 30 November 2022;
• Must submit financial summary for past three (3) consecutive years.
• Must submit full audited financial statements for past three (3) consecutive financial years.
• Companies that have won the Platinum Award three years in a row in the same category shall observe a one-year cooling off period before applying for that category again.
• Immediate past Malaysian Business of The Year Award winners shall observe a 2 years cooling off period by not participating in SOBA unless different tier.

In order to qualify as a candidate for the Rising Star Award, local companies must meet the following requirements:

• Not part of a multinational* group;
• Not a listed** company;
• A company duly incorporated in Malaysia in accordance with the Companies Act, 2016;
• Foreign equity holding does not exceed 50%*;
• Must submit latest full audited financial statements or management accounts;
• Have been in business operations [either as sole proprietorship, partnership and/or company] for less than three (3) years at the closing date of the SOBA which is 30 November 2022^#; and
• Past grand winners of Rising Star are not eligible to apply.

Eligibility Requirements for Entrepreneur of the Year Award

• He must be a Malaysian citizen running the company which is registered in Malaysia in accordance with the Companies Act, 2016.
• Individual must be an owner / largest shareholder who is mainly responsible for the recent performance of the company that is at least three (3) years old.
• Must submit financial summary for past three (3) consecutive years.
• Must submit full audited financial statements for past three (3) consecutive financial years.
• Past winner of Entrepreneur of the Year (Male category) shall observe a one - year cooling off period before applying for the same category.
• He must be at the age of above 35 by 30 November 2022.

Eligibility Requirements for Entrepreneur of the Year Award

• She must be a Malaysian citizen running the company which is registered in Malaysia in accordance with the Companies Act, 2016.
• Individual must be an owner / largest shareholder who is mainly responsible for the recent performance of the company that is at least three (3) years old.
• Must submit financial summary for past three (3) consecutive years.
• Must submit full audited financial statements for past three (3) consecutive financial years.
• Past winner of Entrepreneur of the Year (Female category) shall observe a one - year cooling off period before applying for the same category.
• She must be at the age of above 35 by 30 November 2022.

Eligibility Requirements for Entrepreneur of the Year Award

• Individual must be a Malaysian citizen running the company which is registered in Malaysia in accordance with the Companies Act, 2016.
• Individual must be an owner / largest shareholder who is mainly responsible for the recent performance of the company that is at least three (3) years old.
• Must submit financial summary for past three (3) consecutive years.
• Must submit full audited financial statements for past three (3) consecutive financial years.
• Past winner of Entrepreneur of the Year (Young) is not eligible to reapply for the sub-category but may apply for the Entrepreneur of the Year (Male or Female) sub category if the requirements above are met.
• Individual must be at the age of 35 and below by 30 November 2022.

The Malaysian Business of the Year award is the pinnacle award for SOBA and is awarded under both tiers i.e. one, for the enterprise with sales turnover up to RM25 million and another for the organisation with sales turnover of RM 25 million & above.

No separate application is required to be submitted for this award. As mentioned above, the winner of the Malaysian Business of the Year Award will be selected out of three (3) shortlisted participants by the final panel of judges. Shortlisted participants will be identified based the aggregate of top scores from up to three (3) Top of the Class Awards. Shortlisted participants will be invited to Menara Star (virtually or physically) to present before the panel of judges in English / BM Language .

The winner is generally the best in market with exemplary track record in most areas.

Panel of judges is made up of representatives from Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM), Branding Association of Malaysia (BAM), The Federation of Malaysia Chinese Commerce Association (FEMACCA), Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI), Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA), Malaysia Entrepreneurs' Development Association (PUMM), SME Association Malaysia, JCI Malaysia, Dewan Perniagaan Melayu Malaysia KL (DPMM KL), PIKOM, Malaysian Digital Association (MDA) and ASEAN Retail-Chains & Franchise Federation (ARFF).

Final entries submission ends on 30 November 2022

Judges are selected from our Strategic partners and are highly reputable business savvy figures or who are esteemed individuals held in high regard. The judges are grouped into several panels to ensure there is an avenue for cross-checking and sharing of views to moderate discussions. Further information : Judging of Entries

Download the submission pack via www.soba.com.my

Alternatively, call +603 7967 1388 ext 1871 (Lily)/ 1104 (Daryl) Mon – Fri, 9am – 5.30pm for information and assistance.

Please visit The Star Outstanding Business Awards microsite at www.soba.com.my

For each award category application, a non-refundable processing fee of:

• RM300 submission fee for company with sales turnover up to RM25 million; or


• RM500 submission fee for company with sales turnover of RM25 million & above;


• RM1,100 submission fee and one CEO’s seat at SOBA 2022 Gala Night for company with sales turnover up to RM25 million; or


• RM1,300 submission fee and one CEO’s seat at SOBA 2022 Gala Night for company with sales turnover of RM25 million & above

Payment medium is only via Online Transfer or Cash Deposit, payable to STAR MEDIA GROUP BERHAD Bank details :

There are no other fees besides the application fee. Star will be selling tables and its related marketing purchases for an example Supplement Kit and others. It is optional to purchase the dinner tables but participants are encouraged to purchase tables to show support in the event the company wins.

Participants also have the option to take up ad space in SOBA supplements. The supplement will be distributed at the Awards Night ceremony. There will be a post Award Night supplement as well. Both supplements will be printed and circulated digitally in the National Edition of The Star newspaper and online portals.

The Awards Night will be on March 2023. Venue and date will be disclosed closer to the date.

Results will only be announced on the Awards Night ceremony itself. The Organiser will not be releasing anything prior to the Awards Night. All participants are encouraged to be present at the Awards Night ceremony.

For the Categories:

: Top-Of-The-Class Awards – Platinum, Gold and Silver per category

: Outstanding Achievement Awards – A Grand Winner per category

Prizes will be accorded based on two tiers :

• Up to RM25m turnover
• RM25m & above turnover

*Prizes may vary according to Judges recommendations

1. Free advertising space* in Star Media Group platform

Top-of-the-Class Awards

Platinum winners : RM 50,000 worth of ad space ( print & online)

Gold winners : RM 30,000 worth of ad space ( print & online)

Silver winners : RM 20,000 worth of ad space ( print & online)

Outstanding Achievement Awards

Grand Winners : RM 50,000 worth of ad space ( print & online)
*Note: Terms and conditions apply. Free advertisement space is subject to 6% Service Tax. The Service Tax has to be paid in order to activate the prize package.

2. Preferential rates for additional ads in The Star carrying the SOBA logo, 988 or Suria
3. Coveted trophy at the Awards Night
4. Use of SOBA logo/monogram on corporate and A&P collaterals
5. Exposure through publicity (print and online)
6. Opportunity to attend and speak at special workshops/talks aimed at helping companies grow and move forward
7. Opportunity to attend and speak at special workshops / talks aimed at helping companies grow and move forward

For Finalists / all Participants

• Certificate of Merit (Finalists only)
• Opportunity to self check, network with key business professionals and the business fraternity (All Participants)
• Free 1 year digital access to The Star e-paper and China Daily Asia Weekly upon submission to SOBA 2022 Awards (All Participants)

All decisions made by the Organiser shall be final and binding.

Yes, all submissions are kept confidential in a safeguarded place and privy to the Organiser. The submissions will only be used during judging sessions.

Enquiries : +603 7967 1388
ext 1871 (Lily)
1104 (Daryl)