26/06/2025

THURSDAY | JUNE 26, 2025

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Factors driving escalating ‘quiet quitting’ trend

icon, a symbol of bravery, wisdom and the true maritime identity of Malacca. He said the state government, through the Malacca Museum Corporation, also plans to develop a digital platform involving an inventory of the state’s historical documents. Ab Rauf also said the digital platform would be developed in collaboration with several federal government agencies, with the aim of gathering these valuable materials so that they may be accessed and utilised by all, particularly future generations. – Bernama Treated sewage not cause of floods, says Indah Water KUALA LUMPUR: Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) Sdn Bhd has denied a SelangorKini report claiming that treated sewage discharge was the cause of flooding in Taman Sri Muda, Shah Alam. According to IWK, its operations team conducted an inspection following a complaint by Zone Nine city councillor Ramu Nadarajan and found that the primary cause of the overflow in drains and ditches was poor maintenance. “The drainage system was clogged with rubbish, sediment and tree roots, which obstructed water flow,” the company said in a statement yesterday. As a result, treated effluent from a nearby sewage treatment plant (STP) and rainwater from the residential area could not drain properly. It added that the area’s low-lying location and its proximity to Sungai Klang also contribute to frequent flooding. It clarified that the existing sewerage infrastructure and STP, which have been in operation for more than 30 years, were built in accordance with technical plans based on the original development design of the area. “The discharge route for treated effluent has remained unchanged since the plant was built.” The company stated that two aerated lagoon-type STPs serve the neighbourhood and are operating within their designed population-equivalent capacity, without signs of overloading. The findings have been shared with Ramu and the Shah Alam City Council. – Bernama National Seed Council advisory board formed KUALA LUMPUR: The establishment of the National Seed Council advisory board, comprising various experts, was among the key decisions made at a council meeting chaired by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. In a Facebook post, he said other important decisions from the meeting included mandating the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute as the lead agency for the National Seed Hub, efforts to develop pure lines of local broiler and layer chickens, and the commercialisation of the “Ayam Saga” breed. The meeting on Tuesday also discussed the Mafriwal 2.0 dairy cattle breed recovery programme and freshwater prawn seed production under the Nucleus Breeding Centre and Shrimp Broodstock Multiplication Centre. “Malaysia depends heavily on imported seeds, including 90% of vegetable seeds and RM2.7 million worth of watermelon seeds. This is a major challenge we must address together for the future of national food security. “This seed security agenda is not only crucial for the agri-food industry, but also forms the backbone of national sovereignty and security. We need to produce high quality, resilient local seeds.” – Bernama

o Gen Z professionals looking for jobs aligned with lifestyle, values: Recruitment agency

growing challenges in retaining top talent, particularly among younger employees. In Southeast Asia, where millennial and Gen Z workers make up more than 50% of the workforce, expectations have changed. The Randstad Workmonitor 2025 report revealed that 57% of Malaysian workers, rising to 58% among Gen Z and millennials, would leave their jobs if they did not receive adequate career development support from their managers. “Many also leave due to limited internal mobility and lack of clear development pathways, with younger professionals expecting opportunities for cross-functional exposure or project-based roles. “Workplace culture and leadership style play a critical role as this generation values open communication, psychological safety and inclusive leadership,” she said. She also said younger talent places high importance on transparency in compensation and fairness in career advancement, and many are disengaged when companies fail to offer personalised career planning and recognition. “The concept of employee engagement has significantly evolved in the post-pandemic era, shifting from physical presence to emotional connection. The focus is now on impact and involvement rather than just attendance. “In retaining Gen Z and millennial talent, companies must balance flexibility with accountability. This means not just offering remote or hybrid options, but also doing so with clear goals and expectations,” she said. Wee said career growth should be embedded in the role itself, with managers empowered to act as career coaches, offering personalised guidance to help young employees grow according to their aspirations and learning styles.

employers to rethink how they engage, retain and grow their talent,” she told theSun . She added that given the shifts in the post-pandemic job market, effective employer branding hinges on authenticity and adaptability, and must reflect the real employee experience, not just curated messaging. She also said key elements include legitimacy, openness and the ability to evolve alongside changing workplace policies and expectations. “Companies that succeed in employer branding are those that align their internal culture with their external promises, building trust with current and potential talent. “When employees feel that their experiences match what was advertised, it fosters loyalty, engagement and a stronger sense of purpose, which are essential elements in today’s competitive talent landscape.” Koh said enhancing employee experience through better communication and engagement is crucial, not only to retain current talent but also to attract new candidates. “Looking ahead, the kind of workplace culture that would best support resilience and talent retention in Southeast Asia is one that embraces diversity and inclusion, fosters a high-trust environment with open communication, and prioritises employee well-being and growth opportunities.” She added that such a culture encourages people to bring their full selves to work, adapt to change more effectively and remain engaged for the long term. “It is about creating a workplace in which people feel heard, supported and empowered to grow,” she said. Talentvis regional human resources lead Catherine Wee said companies today face

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: With more employees disengaging or “quiet quitting”, human resources professionals say several key factors are driving the trend, including burnout, lack of work-life balance, poor motivation and lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace survey, only 21% of employees worldwide are engaged while 59% are quietly disengaged or “quiet quitting”. Licensed recruitment agency Talentvis Malaysia executive director Serene Koh said these underlying issues not only reduce individual productivity, but also lower team morale, strain mental and physical health, and on a broader scale, impact national economic performance. “We are also seeing a clear shift among Gen Z professionals as they are no longer just looking for a job, but a workplace that aligns with their lifestyle and values. “They prioritise work-life balance through flexible working arrangements, expect clear growth and development plans, and seek purpose in the work they do. They want to feel that their contributions matter. “In today’s competitive labour market, these changing dynamics are forcing

FUTURISTIC FIELD ... A visitor attending the Taiwan Expo, which focused on artificial intelligence and healthcare technology at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre yesterday. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/ THESUN

Malacca to seek access to historical records kept abroad MALACCA: The state government, through the Malacca Museum Corporation, will make efforts to gain access to records, letters and historical documents of great significance to the state and country that are located in various nations, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh. glory of the Malacca Malay Sultanate prior to the 15th century. “I, together with a state government delegation, visited the Netherlands to personally examine various records, letters and historical documents that are meaningful to Malacca and our country. Ab Rauf said between 1495 and 1500, the name Panglima Awang was recorded as a key crew member and interpreter during Ferdinand Magellan’s voyage.

He also said this discovery is not merely about recognising a name, but also brings a new meaning to Malacca’s history, reviving an important narrative that may have once been overlooked or misrepresented. He added that it is time to set the historical record straight, revive the heritage of greatness and introduce Panglima Awang as a maritime

He said the state government would sign memoranda of cooperation with the Museums Department, National Archives and National Library to realise this aspiration. He said such access includes documents detailing the story of Panglima Awang and the

“(From the visit came a) discovery that confirms that Panglima Awang (Enrique de Malacca), a native son of Malacca, was the first individual from this region to have circumnavigated the globe in the 16th century.”