Faces of HR: Inside Sek Fong Kan’s Mission to Simplify Rewards and Strengthen Trust
Sek Fong Kan, lead of Compensation & Benefits at onsemi, emphasizes that total‑rewards programs must be fair, simple and transparent to drive employee trust. Drawing on 23 years of HR experience, she advocates using digital tools to automate complex payroll and benefits processes while maintaining strong governance. Speaking at the Total Rewards Asia Summit 2026, she will share practical ideas for balancing structured job architectures with the flexibility needed in today’s fast‑changing roles. Her approach positions rewards as a strategic lever for culture, retention and performance.
Bombardier to Nearly Double Singapore Footprint with New Seletar Facility, Creating 200 Skilled Jobs
Bombardier will nearly double its Singapore footprint with a new 250,000 sq ft facility at Seletar Aerospace Park, backed by a S$100 million (~$74 million) investment. Construction begins in the second half of 2026 with operations slated for late 2028, creating more than 200...
"AI Should Be Your Digital Sidekick": Coty’s Ramya Balakrishnan Shares How HR Can Build Practical AI Capability
At InteracTech Asia 2026 Coty’s VP of Global Talent & Development Ramya Balakrishnan warned that HR leaders must shift focus from merely adopting AI tools to strengthening judgement when redesigning work. She highlighted the mixed progress of AI reskilling and...
Hong Kong Proposes 2% Pay Rise Across All Civil Service Salary Bands
Hong Kong’s Civil Service Bureau has offered a uniform 2% salary increase for all civil‑service bands, effective retroactively from 1 April 2026. The proposal, presented by Secretary Ingrid Yeung, cites strong economic growth, modest cost‑of‑living rises, and a favorable fiscal outlook in 2025‑26....
Pioneer Generation Seniors in Singapore to Receive Annual MediSave Top-Ups in Mid-July 2026
Singapore's Ministry of Finance announced that Pioneer Generation seniors will receive annual MediSave top‑ups ranging from S$300 ($222) to S$1,200 ($888) in mid‑July 2026. Since the program began in 2014, more than 450,000 pioneers have benefited, and the 2026 disbursement...
Winning Secrets: Inside Fraser and Neave, Limited's AI-Driven Recruitment Transformation
Fraser and Neave’s Group Human Capital team deployed an AI‑powered recruitment platform to tackle bias and speed hiring at scale. The solution slashed time‑to‑hire by 30%, boosted recruiter capacity by 50%, and lifted candidate perceptions of fairness by 22%. It...
Up the Ranks: The Wendy's Company Promotes Michael DeSantis to Role of Vice President, Human Resources
Michael DeSantis, a nearly decade‑long Wendy’s veteran, has been promoted to Vice President of Human Resources effective April 2026. Previously Senior Director – HR, he will now steer talent strategy, employee experience, and organizational capability across the fast‑food chain. The Ohio‑based...
From AI Anxiety to AI Advantage: 9 Big Learnings for HR Leaders on the Future of Work in Thailand
The Transform Talent Thailand 2026 conference highlighted that AI can accelerate work, but human judgment, trust, and compassion remain essential. HR leaders were urged to act as regional "control towers," blending global standards with local compliance while leveraging AI for tasks...
Malaysia Employers See Strong Work Ethic and Productivity Gains From OKU Workers: DOSM's New Report
The Department of Statistics Malaysia released a 2025 study showing that 81% of employers view the work ethic of persons with disabilities (OKU) as comparable to other staff, and 71.9% report productivity and innovation gains. Currently, 22% of firms employ...
Industry Insider: Zuellig Pharma’s Victoria Herrero on the Race to Close Healthcare’s Skills Gap
Zuellig Pharma’s Chief People and Sustainability Officer Victoria Herrero says the biggest challenge in Asian healthcare is not talent scarcity but the urgent need to reskill teams for digital transformation. She emphasizes aligning people strategies with sustainability goals to create...
2 Singaporeans, an Employment Agency Charged in Court over Alleged False Work Pass Declarations and Kickbacks
Two Singaporeans and the employment firm Wonderful Agency have been charged under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act for filing 14 false work‑pass applications that listed migrant workers as food‑processing staff while they actually worked in massage and spa venues....
Brace for Long Queues at Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints During Hari Raya Haji, Vesak Weekend and School Holidays
Travelers crossing Singapore’s Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints will face significantly longer queues from 26 May to 28 June 2026, a period that coincides with Hari Raya Haji, the Vesak Day weekend and the June school holidays. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has tightened...
Australian Unions Welcome ICJ Ruling Affirming Workers’ Right to Strike
The International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion confirming that the right to strike is protected under ILO Convention 87, ending a 14‑year stalemate within the UN labour body. Australian unions, led by ACTU President Michele O’Neil, welcomed the ruling...
Industry Insider: Magdalen Tsang on Why "There Is No Set Formula" For HR in a Banking World Being Redefined by...
Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking’s APAC Head of HR, Magdalen Tsang, says the bank is redefining its people strategy amid AI‑driven change. She highlights a shift from traditional hiring and payroll to talent development, wellbeing, and cultural fluency across 30 markets....
CAAM Urges Travellers to Monitor Flight Updates Amid Global Disruptions, Malaysia School Holiday Rush
Malaysia’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAM) has issued a consumer advisory ahead of the school holiday travel surge, urging passengers to monitor airline updates amid ongoing global flight disruptions. The notice highlights the expected rise in airport congestion and recommends early...
SME Lab: How Airwallex’s APAC GM Shifts From Hands-On Execution to Empowering Leadership
Arnold Chan, Airwallex’s APAC General Manager, has grown the fintech’s commercial team from a Hong Kong‑focused SME unit to over 200 talent across the region. He describes a shift from hands‑on execution to a coaching style that prioritises empowerment, psychological safety,...
Industry Insider: Meike MacFarlane on Building Agile Talent in Lidl & Kaufland Asia’s Fast-Moving Supply Chain
Lidl & Kaufland Asia’s Chief People Officer Meike MacFarlane outlines how the retailer is building an agile, digitally‑savvy workforce across ten Asian markets. The firm relies on graduate trainee programmes, work‑study opportunities and diverse hiring to grow talent internally while reinforcing a...
Thailand Classifies Hantavirus as Dangerous Communicable Disease, Mandates 42-Day Quarantine for High-Risk Contacts
Thailand has officially classified hantavirus as a dangerous communicable disease, making it the 14th illness on the nation’s legal list. The move triggers mandatory reporting within three hours and a 42‑day quarantine for high‑risk contacts. Authorities are tightening screening at...
Alliance Bank Malaysia Takes Top Honours at the Employee Experience Awards 2026
Alliance Bank Malaysia was named Employee Experience Champion of the Year at the 2026 Employee Experience Awards, held in Kuala Lumpur. The bank also captured the Overall Leadership and Overall Engagement Awards, adding seven gold and four silver trophies to...
Hong Kong to Waive 50% Tunnel Toll for Commercial Vehicles From 17 May 2026
Hong Kong’s Transport Department will waive 50% of tunnel tolls for commercial vehicles using all government‑tolled tunnels and the Tsing Sha Control Area from 00:00 on 17 May 2026 until 23:59 on 16 July 2026. The relief covers buses, goods trucks, light buses and taxis, while...
Cathay Pacific to Lower Fuel Surcharges From 16 May 2026
Cathay Pacific announced a reduction in fuel surcharges across short‑, medium‑ and long‑haul flights, effective 16 May 2026. The new rates translate to roughly $43 for short‑haul, $81 for medium‑haul and $174 for long‑haul routes, down from about $50, $93 and $200...
FWAs in Singapore: The Legal Must-Knows for Employers and Employees Amidst Rising Costs
Rising energy and utility costs are pressuring Singaporean businesses, prompting renewed interest in flexible work arrangements (FWAs). The Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests (TG‑FWAR) require employers to handle formal FWA requests in good faith, respond within two months,...
Faces of HR: SGX Group’s Shailaja Sharma on AI’s Potential to Deepen People Development and Shape More Inclusive, Future-Ready Workplaces
SGX Group’s Group Head of Talent and Learning, Shailaja Sharma, argues that AI can power personalized, just‑in‑time learning at scale, enabling employees to close skill gaps within the flow of work. She stresses that this approach not only accelerates skill...
EPF Rolls Out I-Legasi and I-Emas Initiatives for Retirement Income Planning
Malaysia’s Employees Provident Fund (EPF) launched three new retirement tools – i‑Legasi, i‑Emas and a Retirement Goal Calculator – via its KWSP i‑Akaun app. i‑Legasi lets members transfer excess savings to spouses or children once they reach withdrawal age, while...
Singapore's Newly Formed M&P Reset Workgroup to Review Support for Older Mothers as More Couples Have Children Later
Singapore has launched a Marriage and Parenthood (M&P) Reset Workgroup to reassess support for older mothers and couples delaying child‑bearing. The nine‑member, cross‑ministry team will examine fertility‑treatment funding, high‑risk pregnancy care, and broader factors such as flexible work, preschool affordability...
Retrenchment in Singapore: What Employers Need to Get Right
Employers in Singapore are facing tighter scrutiny over retrenchments as the Tripartite Partners—MOM, NTUC and SNEF—enforce best‑practice guidelines. The 2023 Tripartite Advisory stresses objective selection, prompt MOM notification, clear communication and fair support packages, even though statutory redundancy pay is...
Beyond Motherhood: The Unseen Fertility Struggles of Working Women
Singapore’s total fertility rate dropped to a historic 0.87 in 2025, raising alarms about long‑term workforce sustainability. The article follows Lynn Lim, a senior operations manager, who spent a decade undergoing IVF while leading a team, highlighting the silence around fertility...
MTUC Faces Temporary Dissolution After Failing to Comply with Financial Disclosure Requirements
The Registrar of Societies Malaysia (JPPM) has issued a temporary dissolution order against the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) for failing to submit audited financial statements and disclose foreign‑sourced funds covering 2020‑2025. The order follows a formal notice on 6 April 2026...
No Immediate Move to Expand Leave for Preterm Births or Adoption, Says Minister Indranee Rajah
Singapore's government will not expand paid leave for preterm births or adoption at this time, Minister Indranee Rajah said. The decision follows recent enhancements that now provide 30 weeks of parental leave, including a 10‑week Shared Parental Leave scheme. Officials...
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...
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...
Are You Doing Enough to Prevent Workplace Harassment?
The Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) outlines three practical steps for leaders to curb workplace harassment: recognising hidden forms such as cyberbullying, establishing transparent reporting channels, and enforcing a zero‑tolerance policy backed by training. It stresses...
Wesak Day and Agong’s Birthday 2026: Do Employees Get an Extra Day Off on 2 June?
Malaysia’s Ministry of Human Resources clarified that Wesak Day on Sunday, 31 May 2026, may generate a replacement holiday on Tuesday, 2 June 2026, but only for employees whose weekly rest day is Sunday and whose employers have elected Wesak as a paid public...
CARSOME and Darwinbox Partner to Reinvent Employee Experience with AI-First HR and Native Payroll for 3,000 Employees Across Southeast Asia
CARSOME, Southeast Asia’s largest integrated car‑e‑commerce platform, has appointed Darwinbox as its strategic HR‑technology partner to deploy an AI‑first Human Capital Management suite for over 3,000 employees across Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand. The rollout began with core HCM functions...
Newly Formed Tripartite Jobs Council to Support Workers and Businesses Through AI Transformation
Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower, NTUC and the Singapore National Employers Federation are launching a Tripartite Jobs Council (TJC) to guide the nation’s AI transition. The council will coordinate AI‑responsible adoption, sector‑wide training and targeted support for workers whose roles are...
National HR Policy, Post-Maternity Leave Allowance, and More: Malaysia's New Measures to Support Workers
Malaysia's Ministry of Human Resources endorsed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Labour Day announcements, unveiling the first National Human Resources Policy 2026‑2035 to coordinate skills, labour and social security. The government introduced a post‑maternity leave allowance of up to 30 extra...
Faces of HR: Josh Skorupa on Knowing when to Pivot – or Kill – AI-Enabled Work that Creates No Value
Josh Skorupa, Head of Digital Transformation & Capability at Singapore’s GovTech, says AI is a foundational infrastructure, not a strategy. He urges leaders to focus on clear business outcomes and to halt AI projects that deliver no value. Skorupa’s experience...