Inovatif

Category: Labour & Social

  • Over 54% of Malaysian employers are set for team expansion

    Over 54% of Malaysian employers are set for team expansion

    Ambition Malaysia has released its annual Market Insights & Salary Guide, providing an in-depth view of hiring trends, workforce priorities, and talent expectations. The report covers key industries across Malaysia, including technology, finance, human resources, engineering, supply chain, sales and marketing, banking and financial services, and global business services.

    This year’s report combines Ambition’s on-the-ground market observations with findings from our recent Quick Pulse Survey, which gathered close to 500 responses from employers and professionals across Malaysia, offering timely insight into how organisations closed out 2025 and how they are positioning themselves for the year ahead.

    Commenting on the findings, Matthew Cooper, Managing Director of Ambition Malaysia, shared that 2025 marked a shift toward more deliberate and purposeful workforce planning, “Organisations continued to invest in capabilities that strengthen long-term competitiveness, particularly in digital transformation, automation, compliance, sustainability, and supply chain resilience. At the same time, tighter budgets and slower approval cycles meant hiring became more selective, with a clear focus on roles that support business continuity and operational efficiency.”

    Across sectors, employers placed greater emphasis on internal mobility, succession planning, and upskilling, while professionals became more discerning in their expectations, prioritising stability, meaningful career growth, and hybrid flexibility when evaluating new opportunities.

    Key Findings from the Quick Pulse Survey

    • Hiring remains active, although decisions take longer – Hiring activity remains steady, with 54% of employers planning to hire over the next six months, although approval processes have lengthened due to increased scrutiny on business-critical roles.
    • Talent decisions are value-led, not just pay-led – While salary remains the single most important factor (27%), professionals are increasingly prioritising career growth (20%), company culture (17%), and flexibility (17%) alongside compensation when considering new opportunities.
    • Change is happening gradually, not disruptively – Change across the workforce continues to be measured, with 52% of employers using contract hiring selectively and over 60% of organisations still in the early or exploratory stages of AI adoption, largely focused on productivity and skills development.

    Looking ahead, The Malaysian job market is expected to maintain steady hiring momentum in 2026, supported by continued investment in digitalisation, shared services expansion, compliance-driven roles, and sustainability initiatives. For employers, success in attracting and retaining talent will increasingly depend on how well organisations balance cost with flexibility, culture, and long-term career development.

    For professionals, the outlook points to a more selective job market, where adaptable, cross-functional skillsets, digital fluency, and regional exposure will play a growing role in career mobility and competitiveness.

    Ambition’s 2026 Market Insights & Salary Guide provides sector-specific analysis and practical guidance for employers planning workforce strategies and professionals navigating their next career move.

  • WCT launches new CSR initiative

    WCT launches new CSR initiative

    WCT Holdings Berhad (WCT) has launched its latest CSR initiative, “Uniting Communities, Building the Nation” (Mengeratkan Komuniti Bersama Membina Negara), at Kampung Sungai Kembong Hilir, Kajang.

    Organised under WCTGives and guided by its pillars of #WeCareTogether and #EducationForAll, the initiative aims to revitalise the village’s balai raya and enhance facilities that support learning, social development, and community well-being.

    As part of the initiative, WCT contributed funds and volunteer support to refurbish the hall’s adjoining toilet, upgrade the badminton court into a multipurpose space, enhance the kitchen, and provide new tables, chairs, and a reading corner equipped with 300 books for local children. These improvements will enable the balai raya to once again serve as a venue for community meetings, cooking classes, tuition sessions, and recreational activities – fostering learning and connection across generations.

    The 80-year-old hall, which had been closed since 2017 due to ageing structures and roof damage, was recently restored by the Hulu Langat District Office and the local community. Building on these efforts, WCT’s contribution further strengthens the hall’s role as the heart of the village, benefitting the 2,000 residents in Kampung Sungai Kembong Hilir.

    In addition, WCT extended its support to 100 families from nearby villages – Kampung Sungai Kembong Hilir, Kampung Rinching Hilir, and Kampung Sungai Kembong Hulu by providing Kotak Rezeki packages containing essential groceries worth RM100 each.

    Launched in 2022, WCTGives embodies WCT’s commitment to balancing profitability with purpose — creating shared value for both business and society through its three core pillars: #WeCareTogether, #AGreenerTomorrow, and #EducationForAll.

     

  • foodpanda Malaysia launches nationwide rider safety programme

    foodpanda Malaysia launches nationwide rider safety programme

    foodpanda Malaysia launches pandasafe, a comprehensive and long-term safety initiative designed to protect and empower delivery partners through a comprehensive, long-term safety ecosystem across the country. This pioneering programme is the result of a strategic coalition with key public and private sector partners including Allianz Malaysia Berhad (Allianz Malaysia), Hong Leong Bank, PERKESO, and Hong Leong Yamaha Motor.

    The launch ceremony held at foodpanda’s headquarters, was officiated by YB Anthony Loke, Minister of Transport Malaysia. In his keynote, YB Anthony Loke lauded the programme as a proactive step forward in supporting Malaysia’s growing gig economy workforce.

    “The safety of our delivery partners must be treated as a national priority,” said YB Anthony Loke. “I applaud foodpanda and its partners for stepping up with a long-term, structured programme that goes beyond awareness. pandasafe sets a new benchmark for how companies can take responsibility in making our roads safer for gig workers.”

    More than just a campaign, pandasafe is a data-driven, multi-touchpoint safety ecosystem — combining education, technology, behavioural science, and financial literacy to build a long-term culture of road safety for delivery partners.

    According to Tan Ming Luk, Managing Director of foodpanda Malaysia, pandasafe is a permanent commitment to rider wellbeing, it is not a one-off initiative.

    “Our delivery partners are the heart of foodpanda,” said Tan Ming Luk. “Every safely completed order and every rider who gets home safely is a success. With pandasafe, we’re embedding safety into every aspect of our operations, every day. It’s not a seasonal campaign; it’s a permanent shift in how we operate. This is our commitment to our riders, their families, and the communities we serve.”

    Under the pandasafe initiative, foodpanda will roll out a range of integrated safety measures, including:

    • Structured rider training programmes focused on safe riding techniques
    • Telematics tools to help riders monitor and improve their riding habits
    • Road safety modules and first aid training, with Allianz Malaysia providing First Response and CPR training, equipping riders with the knowledge to act swiftly in emergencies
    • Social protection education and P-Hailing Safety Induction training, conducted in collaboration with PERKESO, ensuring riders are protected and informed under Malaysia’s safety net framework
    • Defensive riding techniques and braking skills training, supported by Hong Leong Yamaha Motor, enhancing rider control and road awareness
    • Financial literacy and financial safety programmes, led by Hong Leong Bank, to help riders manage their income, plan for the future, and achieve greater financial wellbeing

    These components are designed to work in tandem, creating a holistic framework that not only reduces risk but also builds long-term wellbeing for riders across the country.

    “Safety is not just a policy — it’s a culture,” added Tan. “And building that culture takes the right partnerships and the willingness to do things differently if it means ensuring our riders get home safely. That’s why this coalition matters.”

    With pandasafe, foodpanda Malaysia is setting a bold new precedent moving beyond awareness campaigns to a lasting culture of protection, empowerment, and accountability in the gig economy.

  • SC celebrates investED Leadership second cohort graduation

    SC celebrates investED Leadership second cohort graduation

    The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) today marked a key milestone in its talent development journey with more than 190 graduates completing the second cycle of the investED Leadership Programme.
    Officiated by Director General of Higher Education, Datuk Professor Dr. Azlinda Azman, the initiative continues to gain strong momentum as a key capital market initiative for nurturing skilled, future-ready talent for the industry.

    Announced by Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim in June 2023, this flagship graduate programme is designed to boost local graduates’ employability across various disciplines.

    It also marks the first-ever collaboration of its kind between the SC, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Higher Education, the capital market industry, and universities—reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s human capital and future workforce.

    In the span of just two years, the investED Leadership programme has trained 368 young graduates through close collaboration with industry and university partners. Of this, 233 graduates have been employed.

    The second cohort of the Leadership programme, which began in August 2024, received 1,200 applications. Following a month of intensive classroom training at the Asia School of Business, selected participants were placed with various capital market firms for six months of on-the-job experience.
    The SC Chairman Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi said that investED is more than just a training programme – it is a bridge between classroom learning and career building.

    “Beyond equipping our young talent with skills, the programme also builds their confidence, drives industry growth, and nurtures a new generation of professionals for Malaysia’s capital market,” he added.
    The SC is now inviting applications for the third cohort of the investED Leadership Programme, now open until 30 June 2025. Apart from a potential career in the capital market industry, trainees also receive a monthly allowance of RM2,400 during the training period.
    Separately, the investED Foundation Programme, delivered by the SC’s learning arm, the Securities Industry Development Corporation (SIDC), also saw continued progress. Last year, more than 1,000 students enrolled, exceeding the annual target of 800 by 25%.

    In addition, investED has organised 44 career talks and 13 career fairs nationwide, reaching over 110,600 students in the last two years. Of this, 13,500 students have attended the career talks, surpassing the three-year target of 9,000 students in just under two years.

    For more information, visit www.invested.my.

  • Hong Leong Islamic Bank distributes 1,000 food packets to foodpanda riders

    Hong Leong Islamic Bank distributes 1,000 food packets to foodpanda riders

    In conjunction with the holy month of Ramadhan, Hong Leong Islamic Bank (HLISB/Bank) distributed 1,000 buka puasa meals to foodpanda e-hailing delivery riders in its ‘Senyum-Senyum Ramadhan’ initiative, bringing the festive spirit and putting smiles on the faces of foodpanda riders as they continue to deliver food to Malaysians throughout the month of Ramadhan.

    Through its partnership with foodpanda, the Bank has also sponsored buka puasa meals for over 300 foodpanda riders and their families in Melaka, Terengganu, Negeri Sembilan and Perak, spreading warmth, positivity, and appreciation in the community.

    Dafinah Ahmed Hilmi, Chief Executive Officer of HLISB commented on the impactful event, “Ramadhan is a time for gratitude and appreciation, and for many Muslims, it represents an opportunity to give back to the community. This year, we wanted to recognise the sacrifice and dedication of our e-hailing delivery riders, who in many ways are the unsung heroes of our country, especially during festive seasons. During Ramadhan, they brave the heavy traffic and face high volumes of orders, with a majority of them fasting themselves. At HLISB, we wanted to find a way to appreciate their sacrifices, give back to this community, and bring a smile to these riders, which led to us forging our partnership with foodpanda.”

    The Bank’s partnership with foodpanda to sponsor and distribute buka puasa meals to delivery riders is aligned with its Raya theme of “Amal”, where it encourages Malaysians to engage in good deeds which will lead to positive outcomes and multiplied rewards. This concept of “Amal” extends beyond doing good, and also includes inculcating healthy financial habits. The Bank highlights that robust financial habits such as consistent savings, regular investing, and smart protection strategies can set Malaysians up for a brighter financial future.

    Zalman Zainal, Hong Leong Bank’s (HLB) Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, who also heads the Bank’s CSR department, commented, “We at HLB and HLISB have always been committed to engaging in community investment initiatives, where we not only give back to the community but also actively work to uplift and empower them towards a brighter future. With the spirit of “Amal”, we want to continue putting our words to action and engage in more community-centric initiatives such as this one with foodpanda, bringing the Raya spirit and recognising the hardships of these unsung heroes. We believe that good habits, generosity, and kindness are important values to instill, which are the reasons for our smiles as we reap the rewards of a brighter future ahead.”

    HLB and HLISB have a proud tradition of community service during festive seasons, with the Bank organizing Employee Donation Drives where employees donate meal kits and essential goods to welfare homes across the country. Since its inception in 2019, the Bank’s employees have donated more than RM100,000 worth of food, goods, and household items to welfare homes. Employees also regularly engage in spring cleaning initiatives at welfare homes, ensuring that these underserved communities receive the help and support they need.

    In conjunction with the Raya season and to highlight its “Amal” theme, the Bank recently unveiled its Raya campaign with brand ambassador Alif Satar, which features a Raya song and music video titled ‘Senyum-Senyum Raya’, presented by Alif Satar & The Locos. Besides bringing about a positive Raya spirit, the song also emphasises on the importance of good deeds that can multiply and be the reason for your smile this Raya season.

    Senyum-Senyum Raya is available to stream on Spotify and Apple Music, and the music video can be seen on HLB’s YouTube Channel. You may watch the music video here: https://youtu.be/3Tm4O0uNxxA?si=GY1xPTeEFz1R_st7

  • Liberty General Insurance supports National Kidney Foundation

    Liberty General Insurance supports National Kidney Foundation

    Liberty General Insurance (Liberty) has contributed over RM50,000 from its zakat wakalah funds to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF). This contribution is aimed at supporting healthcare initiatives for underserved communities in Malaysia, particularly in making dialysis treatments more affordable and accessible for lower-income patients.

    The funds will assist NKF in acquiring essential medical equipment, including a far infrared therapy machine and a wireless handheld ultrasound imaging system, which are vital tools for enhancing patient care.

    With the rise of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Malaysia, where over five million individuals are affected and yet only 5% are aware of their condition, this contribution seeks to help ease a significant healthcare challenge. The Ministry of Health estimated that over 106,000 individuals will require dialysis by 2040 if the current trends continue. Through this support, Liberty hopes to assist NKF in its efforts to reach vulnerable communities and promote early detection and timely intervention.

    “We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to enhancing the quality of healthcare for Malaysians, especially those from underserved communities,” said Puneet Pasricha (Pasha), Chief Executive Officer of Liberty General Insurance Berhad.” This collaboration with NKF aims to support their efforts in providing essential healthcare to those in need, underscoring Liberty’s commitment to social responsibility.”

    The Zakat Wakalah allocation is specifically designated for procuring medical equipment for NKF, which will directly aid in providing subsidized dialysis treatments to low-income households. This initiative not only supports NKF’s mission but also reflects Liberty’s on-going commitment to help ease healthcare disparities and foster sustainable change in the underserved communities.

    As a one-stop national resource centre for all kidney-related matters, NKF plays a vital role in addressing healthcare disparities by providing affordable treatment options for the lower-income patients who cannot afford the high costs of dialysis at private facilities. Many beneficiaries face significant financial hardships, making access to quality medical care a critical lifeline. By contributing to NKF’s equipment needs, Liberty supports the foundation’s mission to continue its impactful work and positively transform countless lives.

    This initiative aligns with Liberty’s overarching CSR strategy, which focuses on fostering sustainable and positive change within society. Through this collaboration, Liberty aims to ease the healthcare challenges faced by underserved patients, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes and a healthier Malaysia. To read more about Liberty, you may visit its website at www.libertyinsurance.com.my.