SEED 2025 brings wellness, services under one roof
THE Star Employee Enrichment Day (SEED) 2025 transformed a regular workday into a vibrant hub of wellness, fun and convenience.
The annual two-day event organised by Star Media Group (SMG) Bhd's Group People Department is part of an ongoing initiative to provide meaningful experiences that prioritise employee wellbeing and boost morale.
With more than 50 booths set up at Menara Star in Petaling Jaya, employees could consult government agencies, undergo wellness screenings and shop from various vendors.
One of the standout features this year was the expanded wellness centre, which offered a wide range of services focused on both physical and mental health.
Hazlin Aminudin, from the Content Department, said the wellness aspect kept improving with more health screenings introduced annually.
'I noticed that every year there are more of these health tests and screenings, and I think it's really helpful,' she said.
'These are the things most of us wouldn't usually go our way to check otherwise.
(From left) SMG Internal Audit general manager Chai Ming Jye, Group People project lead Joshua Joel, Print, Circulation & Subscription senior general manager Goh Kok Soo, The Star managing editor Brian Martin, Chan, Terence, Digital senior general manager Wan Syahirah Mohammad Zubir, Technology senior general manager Kevin Seng, senior general counsel Soh Sze Jean, Group People project lead Lee Jun Yen and senior group company secretary Kimberly Hoh at the SEED 2025 launch.
'It also helps normalise seeking support for mental health. It's really good for awareness,' she added.
An exciting new addition this year was the neuro-AI emotional wellness screening provided by Alpro.
The cutting edge tool uses artificial intelligence to help people better understand and manage their stress levels.
Beyond wellness, SEED also served as a practical one-stop centre for personal errands, with the participation of multiple government agencies, which were also open to the public.
Participants supported the community by donating blood at the National Blood Bank booth.
SMG employee Sia Hong Kiau shared her thoughts on the importance of donating blood.
'I believe donating blood is beneficial, not only for yourself but for saving the lives of others. Everyone should do it if they are eligible,' she said.
Among the most visited agencies was the National Registration Department (JPN) which offered services such as MyKad renewals, MyKad applications for 12-year-olds as well as registration for birth or death certificates.
JPN assistant registrar Zurina Soleh said the JPN mobile van received a strong response.
'Almost every minute, there would be someone at our booth,' she said.
Zurina added that there was a balanced turnout for both identity card matters and birth and death certificate registrations.
Another initiative was the HR information counter, which gave employees a dedicated space to consult on topics regarding recruitment, performance and rewards, learning and development and employee engagement.
Employees making enquiries at the JPN mobile service during SEED 2025.
The event was officially launched by SMG group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt who highlighted the convenience SEED offered employees.
'From the healthcare setup to the government agencies that we have here, it really is a convenience for staff who do not have the time to do what is necessary for them,' he said.
SMG Group People senior general manager Terence Raj said SEED was also about bringing the workplace community together.
'Sometimes we are separated by various floors, and this kind of events bring everybody together.
'It's about encouraging interaction and collaboration between different departments,' Terence added.
During the launch on the first day of SEED 2025, participants were treated to a nostalgic cup of Milo from the popular Milo truck.
Meanwhile, the second day kicked off with a morning physiotherapy session by Alpro and a Nestum giveaway.
SEED 2025 featured vibrant performances by Suria FM and staff along with interactive games like 'Guess the Voice'.
Free goodie bags were also given out to employees at the two-day event.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
All eyes on PM for big news
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to make what is being described as an extraordinary announcement for all Malaysians this morning. While its content remains under tight wraps, The Star spoke to several Malaysians who shared their expectations and hopes. For Wazlina Wahab, 49, the prospect of a supportive housing policy tops the list. 'As a property consultant, I'm hoping for good news for the housing sector, especially for first-time buyers. 'Many are interested but can't afford the deposit or are afraid of high long-term financial commitments. 'If there's support such as downpayment assistance, stamp duty exemptions or more accessible loan schemes, that would make a real difference, not just for buyers but for us consultants, too,' she said. She also voiced the need for government support for her profession. 'We're in a competitive digital age. Marketing support, digital training and even social protection schemes for real estate agents could encourage us to keep pushing forward,' she added. Gig worker Diyana Ibrahim, 40, echoed similar sentiments of hope. 'I'm hoping for greater security, stability and fairness, while still preserving the flexibility that makes gig work appealing,' she said. She added that access to Employees Provident Fund, PERKESO, health insurance and fair wage protections are long overdue. 'We deserve to earn at least minimum wage after deducting platform commissions and costs like petrol and mobile data. 'I'd also like to see us recognised under unions or associations, and given access to government-funded training to help us move into higher-paying or more stable jobs,' she said. Diyana also emphasised the need for more transparent practices across gig platforms, saying that workers deserve access to accurate data that reflects their efforts and helps them plan for the future. 'If platforms are made to share data, we can track our income, hours and performance – and feel more in control of our future,' she added. Yesterday, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said Anwar is scheduled to make an announcement at 10.30am today, describing it as a 'major announcement' as an extraordinary gesture of appreciation for Malaysians. Meanwhile, many netizens hoped the economic measures would include a shorter work week. 'Hopefully, the announcement will be that there will be a four-day work week,' said some of them, reported Star Media Group's (SMG) Malay language portal mStar. Others hoped that Sara and MyKasih benefits would also be increased.
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
China tourists craving a taste of Penang's local life
Flocking to where the locals go: Chinese tourists are now visiting Pulau Tikus market along Jalan Burma, as part of their tour. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star GEORGE TOWN: Tourists from China are showing greater interest in off-the-beaten-path experiences in Penang compared to the usual attractions. They are often spotted at local food haunts and wet markets that Penangites frequent every day instead of the heritage enclave. Penang Tourist Guides Association chairman Clement Liang said repeat travellers from China often avoid busy tourist areas within the George Town Unesco World Heritage Site. 'They have seen the main attractions, like the murals, British colonial and Peranakan architecture. 'Now, they want to explore quieter places. We take them to Pulau Tikus, Teluk Bahang on Penang island and even Seberang Perai.' Liang said Pulau Tikus has become increasingly popular for its food and temples, with many tourists arriving with lists of food stalls and attractions to explore. 'There is the award-winning char koay teow stall, apam balik cooked on charcoal stoves and a franchise coffee outlet run by the deaf and mute in Pulau Tikus. 'Some also visit the prominent temples along Burma Lane, such as Buddhist temple Wat Chayamangkalaram, as part of their tour.' Liang said the visa waiver has allowed Chinese visitors to make multiple trips to the state, often returning to their favourite spots. Tour guides are also curating itineraries that extend tourism beyond George Town, helping to spread visitors across other areas. 'This helps local businesses and promotes sustainable tourism,' he said. Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Penang chapter chairman Tony Goh said hotel operators have seen steady growth in Chinese visitors and are preparing for more. 'With more direct flights expected, we foresee a larger wave of arrivals in 2026. They love our heritage, culture and local food, especially seafood and durians. 'One of the main draws is durian, and many visitors time their trips in July to coincide with the durian season,' Goh said. He added that hotels have started offering durian packages, including orchard visits and subsidies on durian buffet, to attract this market. 'We anticipate even more arrivals next year, as those who fly to Kuala Lumpur are expected to make a stop in Penang,' he said. Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said China is now Penang's second-largest source of international arrivals, overtaking Singapore. 'From January to May this year, we recorded 76,532 Chinese arrivals, which is a 117% increase compared to 35,322 in the same period last year. 'We are expanding air connectivity and working closely with airlines and stakeholders to restore and introduce more direct flights from major Chinese cities to Penang. 'Since late 2023, routes from Xiamen, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chengdu and Hong Kong have been added. This improved connectivity is the backbone of our China strategy. 'Chartered and scheduled flights from Guiyang, Chongqing, Kunming and Xi'an are in the pipeline. 'We're also strengthening promotion efforts through roadshows, digital campaigns and travel platforms like Douyin, Weibo and Xiaohongshu,' he said, adding that Penang has participated in major travel expos in China as well. He said Penang's multilingualism and cultural familiarity with China has increased its appeal as a destination. He added that Penang's promotion of wedding, cultural, heritage and culinary tourism resonates well with Chinese travellers seeking personalised and meaningful travel experiences. 'Many Penangites speak Mandarin and Chinese dialects such as Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese and Hakka. This makes Chinese tourists feel welcome and at ease.'
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
It's not just about that tan
Staying safe outdoors: People using umbrellas and wearing face masks at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, around 3.30pm due to the unexpected weather situation. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star PETALING JAYA: Prolonged exposure to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation can lead to severe health effects, including damage to the skin and eyes, organ damage and long-term health issues, according to health experts. Healthcare expert Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh said while the haze situation can actually reduce UV radiation, the public still needs to take steps to protect themselves from UV rays. 'Extreme prolonged and intense doses of UV rays may even cause organ damage. 'These include melanoma, skin cancer, basal-cell cancer (skin cancer), cataracts of the eyes, photokeratitis, pterygium (red, fleshy growth in inner eyes), eye macular degeneration, immunosuppression and premature skin ageing,' she said when contacted yesterday. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a form of non-ionising radiation that is emitted by the sun and artificial sources, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Sharifa Ezat said certain groups of people are more at risk against UV rays, including children, outdoor workers, fair-skinned people and those with pre-existing moles that might turn malignant, as well as those with a history of skin cancer. 'Protective strategies include using sunscreen, limiting time outdoors, seeking shaded cool areas, wearing protective equipment (such as umbrellas, hats and long-sleeved clothes), using sunglasses and avoiding getting artificial tanning devices (sunbeds),' she said. According to her, the most common types of skin cancer in the country are basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). 'WHO has come up with an index, which is the Global Solar UV Index (UVI) that indicates the potential of skin damage,' she said, adding that it can be helpful to know how harmful UV radiation can be on a given day. WHO had taken steps to reduce the burden of disease resulting from exposure to UVR. The Global Solar UV Index (UVI), an information tool that describes the level of solar UVR at the Earth's surface, was developed by WHO, the United Nations Environment Programme (Unep), the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (Icnirp). The UVI serves as an indicator of the potential for skin damage. It alerts people about the need to adopt protective measures when exposed to UVR. The higher the UVI value, the greater the potential for damage to the skin and eye, and the less time it takes for harm to occur. Sun protection measures should be used when the UVI reaches three or above. Public health expert Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar warned that the UV rays may have an impact on our skin and eyes. 'They can cause sunburn, premature ageing such as wrinkles and dark spots, as well as eye damage (cataracts, photokeratitis),' he warned. The public is told to take steps to protect themselves from UV radiation, including using sun glasses and seeking shade during peak hours. 'UV rays are the strongest at about 10am to 4pm; the public needs to limit sun exposure during these hours. The best way is to try and stay safe under the sun,' he said.
