Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission lauded in 2 categories at Malaysia Management Excellence Awards 2024

The organisation won Health and Wellness Initiative of the Year - Non-Profit Organisation and its Chief Human Resources Officer was named Innovator of the Year - Non-Profit Organisation.

Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has been honoured in two categories at the prestigious Malaysia Management Excellence Awards 2024.

The organisation was recognised for its initiatives in prioritising employee well-being, whilst its Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), Dr Murugappan, was honoured for his standout leadership.

MCMC has a comprehensive workplace strategy which aims to create a supportive and inclusive culture, enhancing physical, mental, and emotional health whilst building career development.

Its annual Health & Wellness Week offers a variety of activities, including free physical and mental health screenings, fitness classes, and nutrition-focussed meal preparation. MCMC also supports visually impaired individuals through massage reflexology organised by Persatuan Pembangunan Ekonomi Orang Buta Malaysia.

To provide employees with immersive relaxation experiences through virtual reality games and guided breathing, MCMC utilised the metaverse-based wellness tool MetaHRise. The innovation was recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records as the First Multiplayer Metaverse Induction Programme.

“Our initiatives have led to significant improvements in employee satisfaction and organisational performance. The Employee Engagement Survey indicates a high engagement index of 70%, substantially above the Malaysian average of 36%. Employees report clear understanding of MCMC’s goals, with 87% indicating they feel well-informed and aligned with our objectives,” said Haryati Suradi, Head of Human Resource Division at MCMC.

MCMC also boasts a high employee retention rate of over 97%, whilst flexible work arrangements such as hot-desking and co-working spaces have enhanced work-life balance and job satisfaction.

Additionally, the organisation ensures employees feel appreciated with its recognition programmes such as the Long Service Awards and Achievement Incentives.

“Looking ahead, MCMC plans to further enhance our workplace well-being strategy by integrating advanced technologies for remote collaboration, improving workspace designs, and promoting agile work practices,” Haryati added. “We will continue to seek employee feedback through surveys and adapt our initiatives to meet evolving needs, ensuring that our approach remains relevant and impactful.”
Meanwhile, MCMC’s CHRO, Dr Murugappan, was named Innovator of the Year, highlighting his 30 years of experience and exceptional work as a leader.

Dr Murugappan is an advocate of value translation and has worked with multinational corporations (MNCs) from diverse sectors as well as the public sector with a career span of 30 years to date.

Became a researcher, thinker, teacher, and guide by choice. Continuously polishing the leadership traits in him. A lifelong learner specialises in digital leadership, digital HR, total rewards strategy, human capital financial statement, project management, and process improvement.

Dr Murugappan’s career began on a completely different trajectory. Initially trained as an accounting professional, he focussed on the meticulous art of evidence-based decision-making, a skillset that laid the groundwork for his analytical approach. His foray into Human Resources (HR) wasn’t a planned move but a fortunate accident, taking shape when he assumed responsibility for a total rewards portfolio.

What began as a functional HR role soon became the seed for a deeper passion that would guide the rest of his career. Over time, Dr Murugappan’s enthusiasm for HR intensified, leading him to pursue 23 prestigious global certifications and culminating in a PhD in Digital Leadership. This academic pursuit reflected his transition from viewing HR as a transactional, support-driven function to seeing it as a catalyst for organisational transformation and leadership in the digital age.

His recent certification endeavours include Certified CHRO, Wharton Business School, Penn State University (US), Project Management Professional (PMP)®, US; Certified Lean Sigma Black Belt (CLSBB), US; Professional Certification Scrum Master 1 & 2, US; Global Remuneration Professional (GRP), US; Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), US; and Leadership Development & Succession Strategist (LDSS), US.

He has led MCMC with various award-winning initiatives, the recent one being with initiatives like the innovative MetaHRise—a metaverse-powered onboarding experience—he is merging technology with human connection to craft engaging, future-forward solutions for today’s workforce which was recognised by the Malaysian Book of Records in 2024.

One of Dr Murugappan’s most groundbreaking contributions is his research on the Digital Transformation Leadership Black Box (DTLBB)©, where he delved deep into understanding the complexities of digital transformation in organisations. His work outlines the crucial phases companies go through during digital transformations and the specific leadership traits, motives, and drivers required at each stage to guide the process successfully.

The Malaysia Management Excellence Awards, presented by Asian Business Review, honours the country’s most outstanding leaders, innovators, and teams that have brought tangible business gains for the success of their respective companies.

The Malaysia Management Excellence Awards is presented by Asian Business Review Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2025 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's employee engagements and management initiatives, please contact Danica Avila at [email protected].