Up the Ranks: Nishidaran Chandran Takes on Wider HR Mandate at MUFG as MD & CHRO-APAC
MUFG Bank has promoted Nishidaran Chandran to Managing Director and Chief Human Resources Officer for Asia Pacific, effective May 11, 2026. The role expands his oversight from four markets—Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Myanmar—to the entire APAC region, and adds seats on the Regional Executive Committee and Global HR Leadership Team. Based in Singapore, Chandran will steer MUFG’s people agenda as the bank pursues growth and transformation across Asia. The move underscores MUFG’s succession planning and confidence in APAC as a core growth market.
Malaysia to Ease Foreign Driving Licence Conversion Process for Citizens From 1 June 2026
Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport announced that, starting 1 June 2026, all Malaysian citizens holding a valid foreign driving licence will be able to convert it to a local Malaysian Driving Licence (LMM). The new procedure, overseen by the Road Transport Department (JPJ),...
Tech Skills Matter More in Promotion Decisions than University Degrees, Study Finds
A new International Workplace Group study shows that 83% of business leaders now view AI, data analytics and coding skills as essential for promotion into leadership roles, with 22% rating these abilities as more valuable than a university degree. Over...
Workers in China at Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix Call for Higher Performance Bonuses
Workers at Samsung’s Xi’an semiconductor plant and SK Hynix’s Wuxi facility in China are demanding higher performance bonuses, citing knowledge of South Korean headquarters payouts. The calls follow recent labor actions in South Korea, where Samsung employees threatened an 18‑day...
Fresh Graduates in Singapore Earn Higher Wages than in Most East Asian Economies: MOM
Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower reported that fresh‑graduate median wages in 2023‑24 outpace most East Asian peers after purchasing‑power adjustments. Only Hong Kong registers a slightly higher figure. The wage gap reflects Singapore’s concentration of high‑value‑added sectors, multinational headquarters, and deep integration...
Malaysia’s GDP Grew 5.3% in Q1 as Domestic Activity Supported Economic Growth
Malaysia’s economy expanded 5.3% year‑on‑year in Q1 2026, buoyed by resilient retail trade and manufacturing activity, according to the Department of Statistics. The manufacturing sector posted a 3.9% sales increase to RM159.2 bn (≈$35 bn), while the electrical‑electronics sub‑sector surged 13.8%. External trade...
New IP Rider Rules Could Lower Premiums Despite Rising Private Healthcare Costs, MOH Says
Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) announced that policyholders who switch to the newly revised Integrated Shield Plan (IP) rider framework can expect premium reductions of 35% to 40%, despite a backdrop of rising private‑hospital IP costs. Between 2021 and 2024,...
RON95 and Diesel Prices up RM0.05/litre, Subsidised Petroleum Prices Maintained From 7-13 May
Malaysia’s Ministry of Finance announced a 5‑sen increase for RON95 to RM4.02 ($0.88) per litre and diesel to RM5.17 ($1.14) per litre for the week of 7‑13 May, while RON97 stays at RM4.90 ($1.08). The government will keep subsidised fuel rates...
Faces of HR: Chih-Hao Huang on Treating Human Capital as a Measurable Business Asset
Delta Electronics’ SEA‑region CHRO Chih‑Hao Huang is championing a data‑first approach to human capital, urging firms to treat people metrics with the same rigor as financial statements. He prepares to share this vision at the #TransformTalentTH conference on May 28,...
Geopolitics Is Now a Talent Problem: What Chief People Officers Are Prioritising in Their Workforce Strategies Today
The World Economic Forum’s May 2026 Chief People Officers Outlook, based on a survey of 140 global CPOs, finds talent matching—not sheer supply—is the chief workforce challenge. While 74% of leaders prioritize job redesign and 70% focus on upskilling, 83% say...
Singapore's Overqualification Rate Was 19.4% in 2025: MOM Outlines Measures to Address Skills Mismatch
Singapore's Ministry of Manpower reported that 19.4% of the resident workforce was overqualified in 2025, lower than the 21.6% average in comparable high‑income economies. About nine in ten cases are voluntary; involuntary overqualification affects 1.7% of workers, mainly younger tertiary‑educated...
ESD Malaysia Revises Online Appeal Submission Timeline in Line with New Expatriate Employment Policy
Malaysia’s Expatriate Services Division will cut the appeal period for rejected Employment Pass and Professional Visit Pass applications from six months to 14 days, effective 15 May 2026. The change aligns with the new Expatriate Employment Policy and requires employers to submit...
New Skills and Workforce Development Agency in Singapore to Provide Single Touchpoint for Career Guidance, Training & Job Matching
Singapore will create the Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA) by merging SkillsFuture Singapore and Workforce Singapore, consolidating career guidance, training and job matching under one statutory board. The agency, slated to launch in the third quarter of 2026, will...
OCBC Expands Coaching Programme to Malaysia and Hong Kong, Targets 100 Accredited Senior Leader-Coaches by 2027
OCBC has rolled out its internal leadership‑coaching programme to Malaysia and Hong Kong, adding 25 senior leaders to the cohort and bringing the total pool to over 85 across three markets. The bank aims to certify 100 senior leaders with...
‘AI Trainer’ Emerges as Top Cross-Border Hiring Role Among Large Hong Kong Enterprises
Deel’s State of Global Hiring Report shows AI trainer is now the top cross‑border hiring role among large Hong Kong enterprises, overtaking mobile app developers and business developers. Smaller Hong Kong firms continue to focus on software developers, sales managers...