TOP 10’s BEST COMPANIES IN MALAYSIA TO WORK FOR

Issue 9/2013-http://top10malaysia.com/home/index.php/news-and-events

Malaysia is home to numerous companies both foreign and domestic, providing exceptional working conditions which include above average compensation packages, excellent career development and super training and as a result, are much sought after by employees. In the issue 9/2013, Top 10 of Malaysia shares the results of its recent survey on the top 10 companies operating in Malaysia that are admired for their working environment and culture - where employees desire to work for. These 10 companies were chosen from a list of 20 top companies in Malaysia that was published for this survey and the results of which are presented here in random order:

4.1.1 Top Ten: Natural Gas Producer

The company started operations in Malaysia in 1891. It is a pioneer and a leader in the petroleum industry and the largest natural gas producer in Malaysia. For years, it has been consistently recognised as one of the best companies to work for in Malaysia. The company has a workforce of more than 6,000 provides competitive salary for new graduates and recognises and rewards employees through performance-related pay and bonuses including flexible working arrangements (subject to business requirements). Their benefits typically include a competitive national employee provident fund plan and healthcare coverage. The company regularly conducts surveys such as Online People Survey amongst their employees to find out if there are any issues that need to be addressed or improved. In recent times, the company significantly strengthened the compensation package for technical professionals and graduates. The company reviews its compensation packages periodically to ensure they remain competitive and attractive in the market place.

4.1.2 Top Ten: Semiconductor Assembly and Test Site

The largest semiconductor company, established its first offshore assembly plant in Penang in 1972, comprises three campuses and employs more than 8,000 people. The company’s base in Penang is key to one of the largest assembly and test sites. It is also a design and development center where employees engineer cutting-edge technology. It offers a wide range of pay and benefit programmes. Its reward packages include health and wellness benefits, retirement benefits, paid time off, career development, and more. In addition to these, they also have outstanding perks for employees such

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as state-of-the-art fitness centers, sports courts and fields, indoor recreation amenities, cafes with free fruit and drinks, coffee bars, hot beverage machines, convenience store, ATMs, Health for Life Centers, nutritionists, employee discount programmes, motor and group insurance, hobby and social clubs, and organised leisure activities.

4.1.3 Top Ten: Transport and Logistics

This company was the first international air express company to set up operations in Malaysia in 1973. Today, it is a market leader, providing comprehensive transportation and logistics including international express, overland transport and air freight. The company has 500 full time staff. Besides offering an above average remuneration package, the company also provides a wide range of benefit programmes and services. Its performance oriented culture has attractive incentives that reward individual as well as group and team performances. It provides comprehensive training and development upon entry with an Employee Induction Programme and supports continuous development of all staff through investment in training, social programmes and working environment. This includes training opportunities in various expert and operational knowledge, leadership, soft skills and management techniques on www.mylearningworld.net, the online learning portal. They have also implemented motiv8, a performance management system which ensures that the employees potential is recognised early.

4.1.4 Top Ten: Petroleum Industry

The only Malaysian company which is ranked among Fortune 500’s largest corporations in the world was founded in 1974 and has its presence in 31 economies with a work force of more than 40,000. It is considered one of the best managed companies in Malaysia.

Employees are provided ample opportunities to showcase their talents and skills.

Their total reward package is competitive with the other industry players. The company is known to provide for the well-being of employees and their families, in the form of comprehensive health care coverage including maternity benefits, life insurance, staff care services and recreational programmes.

4.1.5 Top Ten: Food Manufacturer

Beginning in Malaysia in 1912 as the Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company in Penang, its first factory in Petaling Jaya was set up in 1962. At present, the company manufactures its products in seven factories and operates from its head office in Mutiara Damansara. The Company was listed on the KLSE now known as Bursa Malaysia Berhad on 13 December, 1989 and has more than 5,000 employees in Malaysia, manufacturing and marketing more than 300 products. The company has introduced several programmes that can help its employees achieve proper work and lifestyle balance. Such programmes include flexible benefit plans which offer staff the flexibility of choice when it comes to life insurance as well as health and wellness packages that extend to the employee’s spouses and children. The company also has a Performance Management System, Learning and Development Programmes and opportunities for foreign assignments.

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4.1.6 Top Ten: Mobile Telecommunications Provider

Founded in 1995, Malaysia’s largest mobile telecommunications provider provides 95%

2G coverage and 81% 3G coverage. It has the largest high-speed network in the economy. With over 3,000 employees spread in the Asia-Pacific region, it is a much sought-after company to work for and is known for its innovative and fast-paced working atmosphere. The company has received several accolades for its employee programmes. It was awarded the Gold Award in the innovation category at the Malaysia Human Resource Award 2010 in recognition of its innovation in nurturing employee talent at its Academy. The company also came up with the Management Associate Programme (M-MAP) in order to develop and groom Malaysian graduates who have high potential in taking up senior leadership roles.

The “My Wellness, My Choice” initiative is a long-term programme aimed at propagating a healthier workforce.

4.1.7 Top Ten: IT Solutions

Established in June 1961, the company is one of the largest and leading IT companies in the world. It has assumed a major role in providing IT solutions to the Malaysian business world. Besides offering competitive benefits as well as an industry-leading practice of performance-based bonuses for all employees, the company allows employees to organise their working hours according to business requirements. Its women workforce outnumber their male counter parts at 57% and provides a 90 day maternity leave for all its female employees. A large number of employees are under the mobility programme where they can either work from home, or at customer facilities. They also have an arrangement for part-time work such as a two-or-three day week as opposed to a five-day week. The company has been awarded and recognised as the Most Popular Graduate Employer for the ICT sector for three years in a row. The company won the Malaysia HR Awards 2011 organised by Malaysian Institute of Human Resource Management in partnership with JobStreet.com.

4.1.8 Top Ten: PC and Notebook Supplier

The company, which opened its state-of-the-art assembly plant in Penang in 1995, is a one-stop PC and notebook supplier. At the heart of its Asia Pacific operations is the Asia Pacific Customer Center (APCC) in Penang. The company has invested in its people and has developed a series of special programmes that facilitate young team members as they pursue a career that fulfills their ambitions and potential. From one-on-one meetings with mentors to regular 360-degree feedback and routine check-ins with a long-term career plan, their team members have ample opportunity to become the leaders they are meant to be. It was awarded the top rank as an “IT Employer of Choice” by Malaysian graduates worldwide for 2011–2012 and also received an Employer of Choice Award in 2011 by the Malaysian Institute of Human Resource Management (MIHRM).

4.1.9 Top Ten: Investment Banking

One of largest investment banks in South-East Asia and the second largest financial services group in Malaysia, with operations in 13 economies and over 40,000 staff regionally, the company offers a regional work experience. The company’s compensation programmes revolve around ensuring rewarding and recognising employees

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through competitive rewards package that is well balanced between fixed and variable compensation elements. The company’s “Choice in My Benefit” is a flexible benefit scheme which allows employees to tailor benefits provided by the company to suit their personal needs. The employees can vary their benefits ranging from healthcare to insurance. Management views this flexi-plan as a step forward to attract the right talents and to retain its current employees. The Group won the “Graduate Employers Award – Banking & Financial Services Sector” presented by the Malaysia’s 100 Leading Graduate Employers 2009 publication. The bank was named “Malaysia’s Most Caring Employer” by the Malaysian Ministry of Human Resource in 2011.

4.1.10 Top Ten: Property Developer

A public listed company, employing 1,200 is a market leader in the development of landed properties of high-rise condominiums as well as commercial centres. The company was judged as the Overall Best Employer in Malaysia 2011 by Hewitt. Some of their staff benefits include interest-free study loans, free lunch boxes for all employees on normal working days (annual cost is RM60,000), three paternity leave days and 60 maternity leave days, staff discount on the purchase of a residential unit for every two years of service. They also provide a merit-based performance appraisal system which rewards high productivity. It provides outpatient medical treatment and check-up reimbursement for employees and their family members, including parents, spouses and children, and over a hundred types of in-house and external trainings. The company also has an Employees Prolonged Illness Scheme whereby the company will continue to give full monthly basic salary for the first two months of medical leave and half pay for the following two months.