The ASEAN Human Resource Excellence Awards & Forum 2026 was successfully held today at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel Kuala Lumpur, bringing together prominent human resource leaders, business executives, educators and organisations to celebrate excellence, innovation and leadership in human resource management.

Organised by HR Hub.my, the leading human resource portal under RHA Media Group, the luncheon event recognised outstanding companies and individuals who have demonstrated strong commitment to people development, employee engagement, workplace culture, talent management and human resource excellence.

The awards provided a platform to acknowledge organisations that are making a meaningful difference in the workplace and setting new benchmarks for people-centric leadership.

Among the notable award recipients were Magnum Berhad, TNB ILSAS, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), Perbadanan Pembangunan Pertanian Negeri Perak, FedEx Malaysia, Management & Science University (MSU), Berjaya Starbucks and MESRA Retail & Café by PETRONAS, Futurefirst Solutions, Tulip Kencana, Swapnil Adsul, Shang & Co., Geoffrey Edward Moore, Madu Kenanga, Ai Ahad Sdn Bhd, Startek Malaysia, Krian Upatkoon and the Director General of MARA, Dato’ Seri Zulfikri Bin Osman among many other deserving organisations and HR leaders.

The awards also recognised individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and contributed significantly to the advancement of human resource practices and workplace excellence.

A Platform for HR Leaders to Share Insights

Beyond the awards presentation, the ASEAN Human Resource Excellence Awards & Forum 2026 featured a series of panel discussions bringing together senior business and HR leaders to share their experiences, perspectives and strategies on the future of human capital.

Among the distinguished panelists were:

  • En. Norazlan Subaha, CEO, MESRA Retail & Café Sdn. Bhd.
  • Datuk Dr. Chong Fhui, Group COO, Magnum Berhad
  • Dato’ Sri Dr. Adam bin Dahlan, CEO, AI Ahad Sdn. Bhd.
  • Mr. Shayne Thum, Partner, Shang & Co
  • Prof. Dr. Abdul Jalil Ghazali, Senior Vice President, Industry Linkages & Entrepreneurship, Management & Science University (MSU)
  • Dato’ Seri Zulfikri bin Osman, Director General, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA)
  • Mr. Shankar Nagalingam, Managing Partner, Futurefirst Solutions Sdn. Bhd.
  • Cik Nur Qhairunnisa binti Ahmad Altajuddin, Founder, Tulip Kencana Sdn Bhd

The panel sessions explored key issues facing organisations today, including employee engagement, talent attraction and retention, leadership development, workplace culture, employee wellbeing, skills development and the changing expectations of the modern workforce.

Speaking on the significance of the event, Mr Lee Seng Chee, the Managing Editor of RHA Media Group highlighted that human resource management has evolved beyond traditional personnel administration to become a strategic driver of organisational growth, competitiveness and sustainability.

“The ASEAN Human Resource Excellence Awards & Forum is not merely about recognising achievements. It is about celebrating organisations and leaders who understand that their greatest asset is their people. These organisations are demonstrating that investing in employees, building strong workplace cultures and developing future leaders are essential to long-term success.”

Celebrating the People Behind Organisational Success

The event underscored the growing importance of human capital excellence in ASEAN’s increasingly competitive business environment.

Organisations today face unprecedented challenges in attracting and retaining talent, developing future-ready capabilities and creating workplaces where employees can thrive. The award recipients demonstrated that effective HR strategies can translate into stronger employee engagement, organisational performance and sustainable business growth.

The ASEAN Human Resource Excellence Awards 2026 therefore serves not only as a recognition platform but also as an avenue for organisations to share best practices and inspire others to elevate their people strategies.

The event brought together HR professionals, corporate leaders, educators, government representatives and business personalities, creating opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange and collaboration across industries.

Building the Future of Human Resources

As the workplace continues to evolve through digital transformation, changing employee expectations and new workforce dynamics, the role of HR leaders is becoming increasingly strategic.

The ASEAN Human Resource Excellence Awards & Forum 2026 reinforces the importance of placing people at the centre of organisational strategy and recognises those who are leading this transformation.

Organised by HR Hub.my by RHA Media Group, the event aims to continue building a stronger community of HR professionals and business leaders across Malaysia and the ASEAN region, while promoting excellence, innovation and best practices in human resource management.

About HR Hub.my

HR Hub.my is a human resource and workplace-focused media platform under RHA Media Group, providing news, insights, thought leadership, industry perspectives and professional content for HR practitioners, business leaders and organisations.

Through its platforms, initiatives and industry events, HR Hub.my seeks to promote excellence in human resource management and contribute to the development of a stronger, more progressive and people-focused workforce.