The night becomes your stage at the W Kuala Lumpur

Source: W Kuala Lumpur. The W logo with the
Petronas Towers as a backdrop.

The W Kuala Lumpur is billing itself as an ideal base for after-dark adventures.

Located in the capital city's golden triangle, guests can easily stroll over to Changkat, Bukit Bintang, Chinatown, or visit the hotel's own rooftop bar WET Deck - featuring a stunning view of the Petronas Twin Towers to set the mood.

The W invites guests to bask in the the neon glow of Petaling Street's night market, sample late-night culinary adventures at Jalan Alor, or chase an adrenaline rush in the Changkat nightlife district. Other destinations for foodies include Taman Connaught Night Market in Cheras, Tapak Urban Street Dining, and Persiaran Hampshire, off Jalan Ampang.

Club venues include kyō Kuala Lumpur and Pitt Club KL.

The W hotel in Kuala Lumpur offers stylish accommodation with the signature W amenities. All 150 rooms and suites feature traditional and modern elements of the jungle city and Kuala Lumpur skyline views.

The WOW and Extreme WOW Suites on the 23rd floor are decorated with distinctive jungle-city designs. The expansive spaces host views of the Petronas Twin Towers, and easily transform into bespoke event spaces.

Hashtags: #LuxurySuites, #luxuryhotel, #KualaLumpur, #PetronasTwinTowers, #WHOTELS, #AfterDark, #Malaysia

*Note that the YEN Cantonese restaurant will be undergoing renovations from 17 March 2025 to 27 May 2025. The AWAY Spa is temporarily closed.

Gender diversity benefits businesses

Concept artwork generated by Google Gemini (Imagen 3) to celebrate International Women's Day.

International Women's Day on March 8 is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to accelerate women's equality. 

New research* released for the day has shown that gender equality remains a key societal issue, with women’s rights under threat due to workplace inequalities and online abuse. The annual study, released by HeForShe, The United Nations Global Solidarity Movement for Gender Equality, and global marketing agency TEAM LEWIS, revealed that public awareness of gender inequality has increased, but geopolitical issues overshadow the issue:

- Over 75% believe companies still need to implement policies for women in the workplace.

- One third of women (32%) have reconsidered their employment due to their company’s in-office policy. Of those, 45% say the reason for reconsidering is inflexibility at work. 

- Only 17% of women received a pay rise in the last year, compared to 24% of men. 

- In leadership, women continue to be under-represented. The percentage of women in senior management roles declined to 53% this year, vs 56% in 2023 and 2024.

"Rights, equality and empowerment remain vital to global prosperity. We cannot afford to sit on the sidelines. Equality is everyone’s responsibility. 2025 is the year for men and boys to stand alongside women and girls to help make change happen.” said Vesna Jaric, Global Head of HeForShe, UN Women.

The benefits of gender diversity were championed by industry observers.

Lim Hsin Yin, VP of Sales for ASEAN, Cohesity, has contributed to the community through mentoring initiatives, including as Chairwoman of the SGTech AI Skills and Training Committee and in industry councils. 

She observed: "International Women’s Day is a moment to celebrate the progress we’ve made in fostering gender diversity and to reflect on the work still ahead. With over 30 years in the tech industry, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of diverse perspectives." 

Stephanie Barnett, VP of Presales for the Asia-Pacific and Japan (APJ), Okta said: "On International Women’s Day, when I reflect on what it means to be a woman in tech I feel both inspired by how far things have come, and feel energised and compelled to do so much more. While progress has been made, sectors like presales, security, and identity still reveal a significant gender gap that has persisted for decades and will continue until we radically and aggressively change and solve for the biases that exist across education, recruitment and workforce inequity.

"Mentorship has had a transformative impact on my career. I’ve been fortunate to have mentors, both men and women, who have offered guidance that goes beyond advice, helping me navigate difficult situations and complex challenges. I feel deeply accountable to pay forward the privilege that I have had in having phenomenal cheerleaders sitting in my blind spots helping me course correct, deeply reflect and charge forward with perspective and support.

"Personally, I believe that fostering diversity in an organisation is not just a checkbox activity and it takes work, takes focus, takes commitment and it may lead to discomfort and potential change management that will be initially uncomfortable, but future and long term looking will significantly accelerate revenue and positive business business results."

Said Remus Lim, Senior VP, Asia Pacific & Japan, Cloudera:  "As we celebrate International Women’s Day, this year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, serves as a call to move beyond conversation and drive real, measurable progress. At Cloudera, we know that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) isn’t achieved in a single day—it’s a continuous effort that requires commitment, accountability, and the courage to challenge the status quo.

"Creating a truly inclusive workplace isn’t just about policies or programmes—it’s about recognising the talent, ambition, and potential that too often go unseen. Business leaders have a responsibility to not only open doors but to actively support and uplift those who may have been overlooked by traditional hiring and promotion practices."

"I’ve seen firsthand how potential-based hiring and mentorship can change careers—and lives. During the period when I was mentoring a colleague, I realised the importance of approaching issues from different angles when charting out new communication pathways between my mentee and other members of the leadership team. This allowed her to see her ideas to fruition while the organisation benefits from fresh perspectives across functions and levels," added Lim from Cloudera. 

"When we focus on who someone can become, rather than just what they’ve done in the past, we create pathways for talent that may not have had the same access or opportunities. When we do this, our teams grow stronger, our innovation becomes richer, and our workplaces become places where everyone has the chance to thrive."

Verena Siow, President and MD, SAP Southeast Asia, shared that this year's theme for International Women’s Day, Accelerate Action, deeply resonated with her. "To me, this theme reinforces the notion that we must take urgent and proactive actions to drive gender equity and parity. It also aligns with one of my personal mantras: Accelerate to Innovate. Just as businesses must embrace bold, decisive action to drive meaningful innovation, we must do the same to advance gender equity," she said.

"Change is often perceived as a gradual process. But while it is true that change does not take place overnight, every little step we take in accelerating action unlocks new possibilities. In Southeast Asia, I’ve seen firsthand how equipping women with the right skills, access, and support can create extraordinary outcomes."

"Yet, barriers remain. Systemic biases still slow progress, from unequal access to leadership opportunities to deeply ingrained stereotypes. The World Economic Forum estimates that at the current pace, full gender parity will not be achieved for another 134 years — a timeline we cannot accept." 

"Innovation does not happen by waiting. It happens by taking action, challenging norms, and accelerating change. Just as we push the boundaries of technology, we must do the same for equity, opportunity, and leadership. The reality is clear: diversity drives better decisions, stronger businesses, and more resilient economies. The question is no longer “why” we need to act, but how much quicker we can make change happen," Siow concluded.

"The broader challenge of gender equality remains stark. According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2024, achieving full gender parity will take 134 years—roughly five generations—at the current pace of progress. We cannot afford to wait. Governments, businesses, academia, and industry bodies must work together to ensure gender equality is not just a long-term aspiration but an urgent economic and innovation priority," agreed Jess Ng, Country Head, Singapore and Brunei, Fortinet.   

Siow touched on mentorship and leadership as solutions. To truly accelerate progress, three actions are critical, she said:

- Sponsorship over mentorship. Women need not just mentorship but advocates—leaders who actively open doors, champion careers, and create opportunities.

- Equal access to leadership tracks. High-impact projects and decision-making roles must be accessible to women at all levels, ensuring a stronger pipeline for future leadership.

- A redefinition of leadership. Success is not just about traditional leadership traits like aggressiveness; it’s about diverse perspectives, emotional intelligence, and inclusivity. Organisations that embrace this perform better and retain top talent.

Explore

Download the HeForShe research at https://www.teamlewis.com/heforshe/ 

Hashtags: #IWD2025, #AccelerateAction 

*TEAM LEWIS Foundation surveyed the general population aged 18 and above across a balanced and diverse group of ages, races, and gender. A total of 5,003 respondents were polled across 10 countries, including the US, UK, UAE, Australia, China, France, Germany, Netherlands, Singapore, and Spain. Localised translations were provided where necessary. Data was collected through an online survey consisting of 55 questions and fielded from February 5 to 14, 2025.

Taobao Malaysia holds first Raya sale

Source: Taobao Malaysia Instagram page. Duit Raya is up for grabs on Wednesdays in March.

Taobao Malaysia is ushering in its first-ever sales campaign dedicated to the Ramadhan and Raya season. Running throughout March, the month-long campaign features promotions, daily free shipping vouchers, and curated festive essentials.

Following the successful introduction of its English interface in September last year, Taobao Malaysia continues its commitment to making the platform more accessible to local users with tailored shopping solutions and promotions via the Raya campaign.

Jess Lew, Country Head of Taobao Malaysia said: "We are thrilled to celebrate one of our country's biggest festive moments together with our first-ever Raya campaign. We have prepared an abundance of promotions to make it easier and more rewarding for our customers to shop for their festive needs. With the successful implementation of the English interface, we can further enhance the shopping experience, ensuring that everyone can easily access the Taobao platform and shop effortlessly." 

Serikan Rumah untuk Raya & Balik Kampung Essentials runs from 9 to 22 March. There will be discounts on décor, furniture, lighting, carpets and travel essentials like suitcases. 

The Last Call Raya Sale will be held from 23 to 31 March.

On top of these shoppers have the chance to grab a limited-time offer, and an RMB35 voucher (equivalent to RM21) to enjoy free shipping with no minimum spend required during this promotion period. For first-time Taobao shoppers, deals for as low as RMB1 (equivalent to RM0.62) are up for grabs. 

Taobao Malaysia is also introducing the Spend & Win Duit Raya promotion. Shoppers stand a chance to win up to RMB50 (equivalent to RM30) in duit Raya every Wednesday in March at 12 pm when they make a purchase, with 100 winners per day. The duit Raya will be in the form of a cashback amount, and equivalent to the amount shoppers spend, capped at RMB50 (equivalent to RM30).

"We hope to build a more holistic shopping environment with the promise of delivering our biggest promotion in Malaysia ever. We believe Malaysians will be able to save more and enjoy more this festive season," said Lew.

Explore

The Taobao app is available to download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play. 

Watch the associated video at https://www.tiktok.com/@taobao.malaysia/video/7478181353075313927

*Platform rules will prevail over the specific promotion details.

India drove 16% YoY surge in APAC office demand in 2024: Colliers

Source: Colliers landing page. Office space demand in the APAC region rose nearly 16% YoY in 2H24.

Demand for office space across Asia Pacific's (APAC's) top 11 markets* rose 15.9% year-on-year (YoY), to 8.8 M sq m, led by India, Mainland China and Japan, in the second half of 2024.

2H24 saw office demand in the region reaching 4.7 M sq m, a 6.1% rise compared to 2H23 according to global diversified professional services company Colliers. Demand growth over this period was notable in markets such as India, Japan and particularly impressive in Australia, which had a lower base. Leasing activity, however, remained relatively subdued in New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan in 2H24.

Colliers' Asia Pacific Office Market Insights H2 2024 and Outlook 2025 report found the significant increase in APAC office space demand to be driven by corporate expansion, return-to-office initiatives, and the growth of global capability centres. Office market activity was strong in India, which saw 6.17 M sq m of leasing during 2024, and 3.44 M sq m of gross leasing in 2H24, an 11% YoY rise compared to 2H23. 

In India, technology firms and flex space operators accounted for a combined 46% of the total takeup across the top six cities during 2H24. New supply remained robust, with over 2.81 M sq m of completed space in 2H24, a 7% YoY growth across the top six cities. Bengaluru and Hyderabad led the office market activity during this period, cumulatively driving more than half of India's Grade A (premium) space demand and supply. Amidst an uptick in both leasing activity and new supply, India vacancy levels largely remained stable at around 17%.

"The APAC office market remained upbeat during 2H24, with demand rising 6.1% YoY to 4.7 M sq m. Office space demand in the region continued to be driven by India, Mainland China and Japan. At the same time, leasing in Australia grew manifold during 2H24, albeit on a comparatively lower base. 

"New office supply declined across most markets in 2H24, resulting in a 16.9% annual drop at the APAC level. Contrary to larger trends, India witnessed 7% YoY growth in new supply, contributing 60% of the new supply in APAC region during 2H24. Looking ahead, we anticipate improved demand-supply dynamics in 2025, supported by balanced economic growth and likely moderation in inflation," said Arpit Mehrotra, MD, MD, Office Services, Colliers India.

"With over 70% share in leasing and 60% share in new supply in 2H24, India remains one of the leading office markets in the APAC region. Strong domestic leasing, coupled with increasing Grade A space uptake by global capability centres (GCCs), continues to fuel office demand in India. During 2H24, GCCs leased 1.4 M sq m of office space in India, accounting for over 40% of the overall leasing during the period. Factors such as rental arbitrage, abundant talent, and language proficiency will continue to support the expansion of GCCs and outsourcing hubs in India," elaborated Vimal Nadar, Senior Director & Head of Research, Colliers India.

Colliers' research forecasts that both demand and supply will strengthen across most APAC markets in 2025, with vacancy rates expected to remain range-bound. Mike Davis, Colliers' MD of Occupier Services, Asia Pacific, said: "The outlook for the office occupier market remains positive, with strong demand set to drive further market shifts in the year ahead. High-activity markets may witness continued rental growth, particularly in peripheral business districts. 

"The overall outlook for 2025 indicates a sustained momentum for the APAC office leasing market. We expect to see steady growth and continued resilience, driven by stable economic growth, corporate expansions, and the return-to-office trend. The flight-to-quality will dominate, with occupiers seeking modern, flexible and sustainable spaces that foster collaboration and productivity."

*The report captured the key markets of Australia, Mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.

Blackhawk Network: decline in employee satisfaction and engagement in Singapore

Concept artwork about workplaces generated by
Bing Image Creator (Dall E 3).

Leveraging employee recognition, rewards, and incentives to foster engagement and increase loyalty in an evolving workplace environment, according to Blackhawk Network (BHN).

BHN's latest research highlights how leaders can help guide their organisations through these transitions:

Employee satisfaction and engagement

Employee satisfaction and engagement in Singapore has recently declined. Amid fears surrounding job security and pay, productivity has begun to suffer. According to BHN research, 93% of employees expressed concerns about their current employment situation.

The two top concerns were “pay increases that won’t cover the cost of living” (41%) and “being asked to do more without a pay increase” (36%).

The current uncertainty is clear, with one in four employees actively seeking new opportunities. They often prioritising pay and benefits when considering potential employers, said BHN.

However, the desire for higher pay alone is not enough. More than half (51%) of the respondents stated that they want more frequent recognition and rewards as part of a broader engagement strategy.

BHN VP of Incentives in APAC, Peter Malycon said: “Companies are encouraged to consider their recognition and incentives programmes, and ensure that they are aligned with the evolving needs of their workforce. Our research clearly highlights that employees are increasingly seeking not just higher pay, but more frequent acknowledgement for their contributions.”

The role of AI and technology in the workplace

BHN’s survey showed that 66% of employees are using AI in their roles, with 83% reporting an increase in productivity as a result. However, there is a delicate balance to be struck between leveraging AI’s benefits and maintaining human-centred recognition programmes, BHN noted. Employees continued to value personalised, timely recognition and rewards that reinforce their sense of value within the company.

The hidden significance of employee engagement and wellbeing

As AI continues to redefine the traditional workplace, re-engaging and rebuilding employee commitment will become more critical in the coming years, BHN suggested. Meaningful engagement, alongside efforts to support employee wellbeing, will play a key role in driving and enhancing business outcomes.

This is reflected in the fact that 81% of respondents indicated that receiving recognition and rewards from their company helps to keep them energised and boosts their loyalty. Moreover, 61% emphasised that the timeliness of these rewards is key. Digital or prepaid cards are a great solution to this and are loved across a range of ages and work environments.

“As we approach Employee Appreciation Day, Singaporean employers should consider how they can integrate both small and large-scale recognition tactics; it’s not just about the big bonuses, but about creating a culture where employees feel consistently valued and rewarded for their contributions”, Malycon emphasised.

Employee Appreciation Day, celebrated annually on the first Friday in March - 7 March this year - offers an ideal opportunity for employers to show their gratitude and celebrate employees’ achievements and contributions, BHN said. 

Free zones to get fast track to sustainability

Source: MGVX via Freepik. Dubai skyline. Dubai’s free zones serve as a hub for global trade and innovation. With sustainability now a key driver of economic growth, MVGX and WFZO’s partnership empowers free zones worldwide to adopt greener, future-ready industrial practices.

The World Free Zones Organization (WFZO), the global body representing 1,600 free zones and industrial parks, has signed an agreement with Alpha Ladder Group subsidiary MVGX Tech (MVGX) to accelerate sustainability adoption across Free Zones worldwide.

Through this collaboration, free zones will gain access to internationally-recognised sustainability frameworks, enabling them to implement robust sustainability management systems and attain the Sustainable Industrial Park (Free Zone) Certification, a benchmark for green industrial park development.

With sustainability becoming a defining factor in investment decisions, supply chain partnerships, and regulatory compliance, free zones that do not embrace sustainability risk falling behind, MGVX said. 

As part of this partnership, MVGX and WFZO will champion the adoption of the Sustainable Industrial Park (Free Zone) Standard (PAS 8848:2024), encouraging WFZO members to integrate structured sustainability practices within their operations. To facilitate this, MVGX will provide capacity-building programmes, consulting services, and hands-on certification support. The initiative will also help Free Zones secure dual certification in ISO 37101 (Sustainable Development in Communities) and PAS IP 8848 (Sustainable Industrial Park Free Zone Standard).

WFZO will take the lead in promoting the Sustainable Industrial Park (Free Zone) Standard across its global network, encouraging free zones to integrate sustainability into their operations. It will organise capacity-building events and workshops, providing free zones with the knowledge and resources needed to participate in the certification process. Additionally, WFZO will serve as the key liaison between MVGX and free zones, ensuring seamless communication and coordination.

MVGX, on the other hand, will drive technical execution by developing specialised training programmes, sustainability assessments, and improvement roadmaps for free zones. It will provide hands-on consulting, guiding free zone teams through gap analyses, sustainability project implementation, and certification preparation. 

Lily Hong, CEO and Co-Founder of MVGX said: “This agreement underscores our shared commitment to sustainability in industrial zones. By leveraging MVGX’s expertise in sustainability consulting and WFZO’s extensive global network, we aim to provide free zones with the necessary tools and guidance to achieve internationally-recognised sustainability certifications. This partnership is a critical step in accelerating the transition to greener industrial practices worldwide.”

“This collaboration marks a significant step toward integrating carbon markets within free zones, enabling enterprises to actively participate in global carbon reduction efforts,” said Dr Samir Hamrouni, CEO, World Free Zones Organization.

“By establishing unified carbon credit standards and digital trading systems, we are fostering a more sustainable and resilient future for free trade zones worldwide.” 

According to the WFZO estimates, there are 2,260 free zones and special economic zones around the world.