HR Leaders Network Malaysia

12/06/2026

AND ..this is very alarming.

11/06/2026

This topic will be discussed widely at FORUM KHAS 2026.
Register today at FORUM KHAS 2026.

https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/806353?fbclid=IwY2xjawSXeCxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeK_1qryzc-9zV07BAppEONhjKVeuGo64P7e3EdkWybx48Av8VLcQHlhSLAHI_aem_Do6J4G7XqXkvcLSQ6uFV3w

The Inland Revenue Board (IRB) has reminded all employers to ensure proper handling of their employees’ tax matters to prevent any tax-related issues.

09/06/2026

Is Attendance Enough, Or Does Performance Matter?

As an employer, I have seen — and continue to see — employees resign because they feel unable to cope with the demands of the workplace.

The reasons vary. Some cite sales targets. Others struggle with deadlines, accountability, performance measurements, or the discipline required to meet organisational KPIs.

At the same time, we hear stories of employees being retrenched, downsized, or laid off due to poor business performance and economic pressures.

This raises an important question:

Is there really any job today that only requires your attendance and not your performance?

Every organisation exists to achieve objectives. Whether in sales, operations, finance, HR, manufacturing, hospitality, or administration, employees are ultimately hired to contribute, create value, solve problems, and help the organisation move forward.

The reality is that modern workplaces are becoming increasingly competitive, data-driven, and performance-focused. Attendance alone is no longer enough. Presence without productivity offers little value to employers who are accountable for business results.

Equally, employers must recognise their responsibility to provide proper leadership, coaching, support, training, and realistic expectations. Performance should be managed fairly, not through fear or intimidation.

Perhaps the conversation should not be about working harder.

Perhaps it should be about building resilience, accountability, adaptability, and a mindset that understands the difference between having a job and creating value through that job.

What are your thoughts?

Do employees leave because workplaces demand too much, or because some individuals are simply unprepared for the realities of performance-driven environments?

Link here:
https://says.com/my/news/malaysia-job-losses-early-attrition-90-days-service-sector-2026

09/06/2026

Ms Narmatha Rajendran
Project Lead HRBP | ASK-HRD Malaysia.

In today's rapidly evolving business environment, organizations require leaders who can effectively balance people, governance, compliance, and commercial objectives. Ms Narmatha Rajendran exemplifies this balance through her extensive experience in Strategic Human Resources, Corporate Governance, and Organizational Development.

Throughout her career, she has worked closely with organizations at various stages of development, ranging from emerging businesses and growing enterprises to established multinational corporations. Her ability to understand organizational needs from both strategic and operational perspectives has enabled her to deliver practical solutions that support business objectives while strengthening employee engagement and organizational culture.

A unique aspect of Narmatha's professional profile is her multidisciplinary background that combines Human Resources, Psychology, and Corporate Law. This combination allows her to approach workplace challenges from a holistic perspective, considering not only people and performance factors but also governance requirements, compliance obligations, and business sustainability. Her balanced approach has made her a valuable advisor to senior leaders seeking to navigate increasingly complex workplace environments.

Her experience in highly regulated industries such as Insurance, Automotive, and Semiconductor manufacturing has further strengthened her understanding of risk management, compliance, and governance. Working within these fast-paced sectors has equipped her with the capability to balance operational agility with regulatory requirements while maintaining a strong focus on business performance and employee wellbeing.

Beyond traditional Human Resources functions, Narmatha is a strong advocate of data-driven decision-making. She leverages workforce analytics, business intelligence, and people insights to support strategic planning and informed decision-making. Her analytical approach enables organizations to identify trends, anticipate workforce challenges, and develop proactive solutions that contribute to measurable business outcomes.

Her professional purpose is simple yet powerful: to help organizations build workplaces where people and business thrive together. Through strategic leadership, sound governance, effective people management, and a commitment to continuous improvement, she remains dedicated to creating lasting impact for organizations, leaders, and employees alike.

08/06/2026

By Dr Adeva DrAdeva Sangkuni Nlp\

Malaysia Recorded More Than 1,800 Industrial Court Cases in 2025. Is Your Organisation Prepared?
For many organisations, compliance is often viewed as an administrative responsibility. However, recent trends in Malaysia suggest that compliance failures are becoming one of the most expensive business risks faced by employers today.

Industry reports indicate that more than 1,800 Industrial Court cases were recorded in Malaysia throughout 2025, while over 448 new cases had already been registered by May 2026. Behind every case lies a story of workplace disputes, poor documentation, ineffective leadership decisions, procedural errors, and costly misunderstandings of employment laws.

The question is no longer whether employment disputes happen.
The question is whether your organisation is prepared when they do.

Growing Cost of Non-Compliance

Industrial Court cases are not merely legal disputes. They consume management time, damage employer branding, lower employee morale, increase turnover, and often result in substantial financial settlements.

Many employers still believe that terminating a probationer is straightforward, that verbal warnings are sufficient, or that operational decisions will automatically be accepted by the courts.

reality is very different.

Today's workforce is more informed than ever before. Employees understand their rights, seek legal advice quickly, and are increasingly willing to challenge employers through formal channels.

As a result, organisations are facing claims involving:

• Unfair Dismissal
• Constructive Dismissal
• Retrenchment Disputes
• Misconduct Investigations
• Domestic Inquiry Challenges
• Employment Act 1955 Violations
• Payroll and Statutory Compliance Issues
• Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Complaints

# Why Employers Continue to Lose Cases

After years of working with organisations across Malaysia, several common patterns continue to emerge.

Many organisations fail not because they are wrong, but because they cannot prove they were right.

mistakes include:

- Poor documentation
- Incomplete performance records
- Weak Performance Improvement Plans (PIP)
- Defective Domestic Inquiry procedures
- Inconsistent disciplinary actions
- Emotional management decisions
- Lack of HR understanding among line managers
- Inadequate communication between HR and Operations

In many cases, a single missing document can determine the outcome of an entire Industrial Court hearing.

Leadership Factor

One of the most overlooked causes of workplace disputes is ineffective leadership.

Managers are often promoted based on technical expertise rather than people management capability.

As a result, they may struggle with:

• Managing difficult employees
• Conducting performance conversations
• Handling disciplinary matters
• Managing workplace conflicts
• Understanding employment legislation

This creates unnecessary exposure for the organisation and significantly increases the likelihood of disputes escalating into legal claims.

# Compliance Is No Longer an HR Issue

Compliance is now a business issue.

Every department head, supervisor, manager, HR professional, payroll officer, finance executive, and business owner has a role to play in ensuring workplace compliance.

Organisations that invest in compliance awareness today are protecting themselves from substantial legal, operational, and reputational risks tomorrow.

# Join Malaysia's Premier Compliance Masterclass

To help organisations stay ahead of the latest developments in employment law and statutory compliance, ASK-HRD Malaysia proudly presents:

FORUM KHAS 2026 | JTK • LHDN • EPF • SOCSO

This national compliance forum brings together experienced practitioners, industry experts, compliance specialists, and invited government officers to discuss the latest updates affecting employers across Malaysia.

Key areas include:

- Employment Act 1955 Updates
- Industrial Relations & Domestic Inquiry
- Labour Department Compliance (JTK)
- EPF & SOCSO Compliance Requirements
- LHDN & Tax Compliance Updates
- Payroll Governance
- Employer Risk Management
- Real Industrial Court Case Studies
- HR Best Practices for 2026

Whether you are an HR professional, business owner, department head, finance executive, payroll officer, or people manager, this forum will provide practical insights that can help protect your organisation from costly mistakes.

The workplace landscape is changing rapidly.

The employers who succeed in 2026 will not necessarily be the biggest organisations.

They will be the organisations that are compliant, prepared, informed, and proactive.

The cost of attending a compliance forum is minimal.
The cost of defending an Industrial Court case can be enormous.

Choose wisely.

25/05/2026

JTK Strengthens Enforcement & Employer Compliance Monitoring in Malaysia

The Jabatan Tenaga Kerja (JTK) Malaysia has recently intensified its nationwide enforcement and compliance monitoring efforts to ensure employers fully comply with the Employment Act 1955, labour regulations, employee welfare obligations, and workplace governance standards.

The latest enforcement focus by JTK includes employer compliance on salary payments, overtime regulations, working hours, employment contracts, leave entitlements, foreign worker management, workplace discrimination issues, and proper employee documentation procedures. Organizations found violating labour regulations may face investigations, legal actions, financial penalties, or prosecution under existing employment laws.

JTK has also emphasized the importance of proper documentation, fair employee treatment, and compliance with recent amendments under the Employment Act and labour governance requirements. Employers are strongly encouraged to continuously review their HR policies, payroll structures, disciplinary procedures, and employment practices to reduce operational risks and legal exposure.

With increasing workforce challenges and stronger governance expectations in Malaysia, HR leaders and business owners are advised to remain updated on labour law developments and maintain proactive compliance management within their organizations.

ASK-HRD Malaysia continuously encourages organizations to strengthen HR governance, leadership accountability, and compliance awareness to ensure healthier, legally compliant, and sustainable workplace practices across Malaysia.

SOURCE : JTK | KESUMA | 25 Mei 2026
Edited and Posted by : ASK-HRD PR Team.

25/05/2026

SHAH ALAM: A courier services company here was found to have breached the Minimum Wage Order 2024 and paid workers daily in cash during an enforcement operation by the Selangor Labour Department.

The operation, carried out by the Peninsular Malaysia Labour Department (JTKSM) last night, was coordinated by the Selangor JTK Special Enforcement Team.

It involved 35 enforcement officers targeting the courier services sector.

JTKSM deputy director-general (operations) Betty Hasan said the operation reflected the department's ongoing commitment to ensuring full compliance with national labour laws.

During the operation, 120 local workers and 175 foreign workers from Indonesia, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh were inspected.

Among the offences detected under JTKSM-enforced laws were the failure to adhere to the Minimum Wage Order 2024 and violations of Section 25A of the Employment Act 1955 for paying wages daily in cash, she said in a statement.

She said authorities also detected violations under Section 60A involving the non-payment of overtime wages.

Betty said JTKSM would continue to intensify its enforcement operations in accordance with the legislation under its jurisdiction.

"This enforcement is a vital proactive step for the department in combating non-compliance with any labour acts," she said.

She added that consistent enforcement was necessary to ensure the welfare of both local and foreign workers was protected and to strengthen national labour harmony.

The operation also serves as a platform to provide explanations, advice and guidance to employers on the importance of complying with labour laws.

"This is in line with the government's efforts to create a fair, safe and prosperous working environment for all parties."

SOURCES : NST | 22.05.2026

24/05/2026

24/05/2026

WHY JOIN HR LEADERS NETWORK MALAYSIA?

Because great HR leaders never grow alone.

Welcome to a professional community designed exclusively for HR practitioners, corporate leaders, business owners and people management professionals across Malaysia.

As a member of HR Leaders Network Malaysia, you will enjoy EXCLUSIVE PRIVILEGES including:

= Complimentary & discounted seminar entries by ASK-HRD Malaysia
= Leadership Networking Sessions with HR leaders nationwide
= Executive Personality Profiling & Leadership Assessment
= Hotel Accommodation & Dining Privileges
= Access to HR Forums, Compliance Updates & Leadership Sharing
= Career Placement & Professional Networking Opportunities
= Invitations to Family Day, CSR Programs & Leadership Retreats
= Exposure through HR Personality of the Week Campaigns.
= Learning opportunities on HR Transformation, AI & Future Workforce Management
= Access to a supportive HR community built on Diversity, Inclusion & Equity

This is more than a membership.
This is a movement for Malaysia’s HR professionals to connect, grow and lead together.

Join the network that is building the future of HR leadership in Malaysia.
REGISTER FOR YOUR FREE MEMBERSHIP HERE : https://form.jotform.com/ASK_HRD/HRLeadersNetwork_Membership

HR LEADERS NETWORK MALAYSIA
Powered by ASK-HRD Malaysia

“Together We Lead. Together We Grow.”

24/05/2026

HR LEADERS NETWORK MALAYSIA

In a world where workplaces are rapidly evolving, Human Resources is no longer just about policies, payroll or administration.

Today, HR stands as the heart of leadership, culture, diversity, inclusion and people transformation.

HR Leaders Network Malaysia was established with one powerful vision — to unite HR professionals, corporate leaders and people management practitioners from all backgrounds, industries and experiences under one respected national platform.

This is a professional movement where Diversity is celebrated, Inclusion is practiced and Equity is valued.

Regardless of race, gender, religion, age, position or industry background, every HR professional deserves a space to connect, grow, contribute and lead with purpose.

At HR Leaders Network Malaysia, we believe that stronger workplaces begin with stronger human connections.

We are building more than a networking community.
We are building a professional ecosystem where HR leaders collaborate, inspire and support one another towards a future-ready workforce for Malaysia.

Powered by ASK-HRD Malaysia, this initiative aims to strengthen leadership excellence, professional exposure, workplace wellbeing and strategic people management practices across the nation.

Through networking forums, leadership conferences, learning initiatives, family engagement programs, CSR movements and strategic collaborations, members will experience a community where professional growth and meaningful relationships come together.

This is where HR leaders become industry voices.
This is where future HR talents are empowered.
This is where unity, leadership and transformation begin.

Welcome to HR Leaders Network Malaysia.
Where Malaysia’s HR community connects, leads and grows together.

REGISTER YOUR FREE MEMBERSHIP HERE: https://form.jotform.com/ASK_HRD/HRLeadersNetwork_Membership