Human Resources Online - singapore region

Faces of HR: "Rewards decisions don't just 'pay people' – they send signals", says Li Chiang Sia

Behind every pay decision lies a story about fairness, trust, and culture. KONE's Regional Performance & Rewards Manager, Southeast Asia, shares why Total Rewards is far more than numbers on a spreadsheet – and why every decision sends a signal employees remember.

02 July 2026
• Priya Sunil

At the helm: Verena Siow is SAP's new President for Asia Pacific

Siow brings nearly three decades of experience in the technology sector, including 15 years with SAP, most recently as Business Suite Leader for APAC.

02 July 2026
• Sarah Gideon

Faces of HR: Sandy Surya Nugraha is a firm believer that HR belongs in the business, not on the sidelines

As the VP – Group Head of People & Culture at Artajasa Pembayaran Elektronis, explains, effective HR starts with understanding both the business agenda and employees' day-to-day realities. From there, HR can turn people priorities into stronger business outcomes through capability building, better execution, higher productivity, and leadership development.

02 July 2026
• Sarah Gideon

Toxic workplaces still affect nearly 7 in 10 workers as leadership trust remains a challenge: Survey

While workplace toxicity appears to be easing slightly compared to last year, poor leadership, unresolved conflicts, and declining trust in HR continue to undermine employee wellbeing and retention, the survey found.

02 July 2026
• Priya Sunil

Up the ranks: Hilti Malaysia welcomes Reena Talla as Head of Human Resources

"I’m joining a team that has accomplished a great deal, and I look forward to learning from them, building on their successes, and creating an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute, collaborate, challenge respectfully, and continue growing together," she tells HRO.

01 July 2026
• Priya Sunil

SOCSO revised contribution rates for June-July 2026 not yet reflected in e-Payroll, as system undergoes enhancements

Employers have been advised to verify the applicable SOCSO contribution rates and make payments directly through SOCSO’s official portal where necessary.

01 July 2026
• Sarah Gideon

Beyond the policy: How to spot and protect employees from sexual misconduct at work

Policies are only the starting point. Legal experts Ho Wei Jie and Francis Chan talk about how employers can recognise workplace sexual misconduct early, respond with care and fairness, protect affected employees, and build reporting cultures people can trust, in conversation with Sarah Gideon.

30 June 2026
• Sarah Gideon

Eligible Singaporean HDB households to receive double GSTV – U-Save and S&CC rebates in July 2026

Across FY2026, eligible households can receive up to S$570 in U-Save rebates.

30 June 2026
• Umairah Nasir

Malaysia launches BAKAT MADANI initiative to widen access to skills training and quality jobs

An expected 25,000 individuals are set to benefit from the initiative within a year from mid-2026, as Malaysia brings together GLICs, GLCs and PETRONAS to expand access to skills training, job placements and social mobility.

30 June 2026
• Sarah Gideon

Malaysia introduces new passport with 94 security features and 10-year validity option, effective 1 July 2026

The introduction of the 10-year passport is expected to reduce the frequency of renewals, saving time and streamlining both domestic and international travel arrangements.

30 June 2026
• Umairah Nasir

China to further upgrade departure tax refund policy from 1 July 2026

New measures include extending the refund-upon-purchase period to 28 days and introducing fully digital tax refund processing to enhance the travaller experience and boost inbound consumption.

30 June 2026
• Tracy Chan

Up the ranks: Apis India names Pankaj Tripathi as GM-HR, Admin & IT

Bringing more than 18 years of HR leadership experience across FMCG, manufacturing, hospitality, and retail, Pankaj Tripathi joins Apis India as the company strengthens its leadership team to support its next phase of growth.

30 June 2026
• Umairah Nasir

"Heavy" to "very heavy" rain expected in Thailand from 29 June to 3 July 2026

Residents in affected areas are urged to stay alert for heavy and accumulated rainfall, which could trigger flash floods and runoff, particularly in foothill areas, near waterways, and in low-lying communities.

30 June 2026
• Sarah Gideon

Malaysia’s unemployment rate fell to 10-year low in 2025 as labour market strengthened: DOSM

The unemployment rate dropped to 3.0% in 2025, the lowest in a decade, while employment, labour force participation, and youth employment all improved.

30 June 2026
• Umairah Nasir

CPTPP ministers to advance expansion talks, launch Customs Working Group and deepen ASEAN-EU trade dialogues

Ministers also welcomed the progress on negotiations and cooperation aimed at updating and enhancing the CPTPP, following a decision taken in Melbourne last year.

30 June 2026
• Sarah Gideon

MOM moves displaced migrant workers to temporary lodging, ramps up job-matching following alleged unpaid wages case

About 20 workers have found new jobs, while most of the remaining affected workers are expected to be placed within the next two to three weeks. Around 230 will be moved to the MOM Onboard Centre, where lodging and meals will be provided.

30 June 2026
• Sarah Gideon

MOM calls for nationwide voluntary Safety Time-Out as workplace fatalities reach 21 in 2026

The two-week voluntary Safety Time-Out and stricter workplace safety enforcement come after seven workers lost their lives in five workplace incidents over the past month.

30 June 2026
• Umairah Nasir

Credible, timely, trusted, and always first to bring HR developments

From family ties to fair practices: Grievance handling in SMEs

Are you doing enough to prevent workplace harassment?

CARSOME and Darwinbox partner to reinvent employee experience with AI-first HR and native payroll for 3,000 employees across Southeast Asia

Talentbank announces winners of Graduates’ Choice Award 2026: Malaysia’s most-voted graduate employers revealed

From fairness to inclusion: 3 habits for managing diverse teams

Beyond the policy: How to spot and protect employees from sexual misconduct at work

Leadership as a daily choice: Merck’s Khadija Ben Hammada on building global teams, local trust, and future-ready talent

Faces of HR: Surya Darpita on why meaningful rewards start with contribution, not entitlement

New Skills and Workforce Development Agency to focus on strengthening skills, careers, and workforce support in Singapore

Beyond the policy: How to spot and protect employees from sexual misconduct at work

Eligible Singaporean HDB households to receive double GSTV – U-Save and S&CC rebates in July 2026

China to further upgrade departure tax refund policy from 1 July 2026

CPTPP ministers to advance expansion talks, launch Customs Working Group and deepen ASEAN-EU trade dialogues

Faces of HR: "Rewards decisions don't just 'pay people' – they send signals", says Li Chiang Sia

At the helm: Verena Siow is SAP's new President for Asia Pacific

Faces of HR: Sandy Surya Nugraha is a firm believer that HR belongs in the business, not on the sidelines

Toxic workplaces still affect nearly 7 in 10 workers as leadership trust remains a challenge: Survey

Up the ranks: Hilti Malaysia welcomes Reena Talla as Head of Human Resources

SOCSO revised contribution rates for June-July 2026 not yet reflected in e-Payroll, as system undergoes enhancements

Beyond the policy: How to spot and protect employees from sexual misconduct at work

Eligible Singaporean HDB households to receive double GSTV – U-Save and S&CC rebates in July 2026

Malaysia launches BAKAT MADANI initiative to widen access to skills training and quality jobs

Malaysia introduces new passport with 94 security features and 10-year validity option, effective 1 July 2026

China to further upgrade departure tax refund policy from 1 July 2026

Up the ranks: Apis India names Pankaj Tripathi as GM-HR, Admin & IT

"Heavy" to "very heavy" rain expected in Thailand from 29 June to 3 July 2026

Malaysia’s unemployment rate fell to 10-year low in 2025 as labour market strengthened: DOSM

CPTPP ministers to advance expansion talks, launch Customs Working Group and deepen ASEAN-EU trade dialogues

MOM moves displaced migrant workers to temporary lodging, ramps up job-matching following alleged unpaid wages case

MOM calls for nationwide voluntary Safety Time-Out as workplace fatalities reach 21 in 2026