How Star Media Group's inclusive culture empowers employees with disabilities

Ku Siti Aishah says her job as a telephone operator has given her financial stability, confidence and independence. Photo: The Star/Sheela Chandran

The moment Ku Siti Aishah Ku Mokhtar received a call offering her a job at Star Media Group (SMG) in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, she knew her life was about to change.

'My colleagues treat me like an equal, and that makes me feel valued,' says Ku Siti Aishah. Photo: The Star/Azman Ghani

For years, Ku Siti Aishah, who is visually impaired, had worked as a masseuse, but the lack of a fixed income often left her feeling uncertain about the future.

The job as a telereceptionist at SMG has given her financial stability and independence.

“I was so happy when I received my first paycheck. Knowing that I had a steady income every month gave me a sense of security. Over the years, I have saved for my retirement and even saved a bit extra to travel to Indonesia and Thailand,” says Ku Siti Aishah, 43, during an interview at Menara Star.

Born blind, Ku Siti Aishah is among a growing number of persons with disabilities (PWDs) who are gaining better independence through meaningful employment.

It also shows the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in ensuring everyone has an opportunity to contribute and succeed in their respective jobs.

An inclusive workplace

According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia’s 2022 Persons with Disabilities Statistics, there are 674,548 registered persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the country. However, employment opportunities remain limited.

The Department of Labour Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM) reported that 14,252 PWDs were employed in the private sector between 1990 and 2018, compared with a workforce of 13.74 million.

Ku Siti Aishah (third from left) with her colleagues from SMG’s administration department. Photo: Ku Siti Aishah Ku Mokhtar

Currently, SMG employs four individuals with disabilities, including employees with visual impairments and physical disabilities.

Over the years, the organisation has also supported individuals with hearing impairments and collaborated with third parties to offer work opportunities for people with autism.

Ku Siti Aishah, the second of seven siblings from Kuala Lumpur, says she was initially worried and intimidated when she joined the organisation, as it was her first full-time job.

“When I joined SMG in 2009, I wasn’t fluent in English and felt shy speaking the language. But my colleagues encouraged me to improve, as English is an important part of my job.

“They treat me as an equal. We have lunch together, and I have never felt left out. Some colleagues even accompany me to the MRT station after work.

“Everyone is very nice, and that’s why I’ve stayed at SMG for 16 years,” says Ku Siti Aishah, who did her Form Six at St John’s Institution in Kuala Lumpur.

After completing secondary education, she registered for a massage therapy course at the Malaysian Association for the Blind’s (MAB) Gurney Training Centre (GTC) in Kuala Lumpur.

There, the blind can sign up for technical and vocational programmes such as office management, computer system operations, audio production and piano tuning to equip them with skills for employment and independent living.

Sia discussing a project with his colleague, Sangeetha Loganathan, as part of SMG’s collaborative work culture. Photos: The Star/Yap Chee Hong

Built on trust and unity

Senior manager (project management) Sia Siew Sin, 57, joined SMG in 2017 and is part of the group technology department, where he leads and manages IT projects including digital initiatives that support and enhance the newspaper’s operations.

Having worked across different industries and organisations, Sia believes what keeps many employees at SMG is the strong relationships they have built with one another.

Sia values the friendly workplace culture, mutual respect and strong sense of camaraderie among colleagues.

“SMG is my eighth job. Throughout my career, I’ve worked in different IT environments, from software development, manufacturing, logistics, food and beverage industry to IT service delivery and operations. I’ve also experienced different work cultures in American, European and local companies,” says Sia, from Sungai Rambai in Merlimau, Melaka.

What stands out to him about SMG is the warmth and friendliness among colleagues, where employees make an effort to greet and acknowledge each other, whether in the lift, cafeteria or lobby.

“There are colleagues here who are very senior, but everyone treats one another with respect. The culture here is very different from the other places I have worked at,” says Sia.

Sia was surprised to discover that many employees had built long careers at SMG, with some having stayed for more than four decades.

“This kind of loyalty is not something I often see in other companies. SMG has a very local and Asian culture where relationships and family values are important.

“It is interesting to see how staff have blended work and family values together. To me, that is what loyalty is about, and I am happy to be part of a company that combines both professional and personal connections,” he shares.

Sia (right) with his mother, Tan, who he says has been his greatest source of support. Photo: Sia Siew Sin

The youngest of 10 siblings, Sia said his mother, homemaker Tan Tin, played an important role in shaping his outlook on life. She taught him to be independent and make the most of every opportunity despite having polio.

“It is what it is. It takes time to accept that sometimes, we are all thrown with different challenges. I can’t say my life is easier or harder than others, but I know it’s important to stay positive and be thankful for my blessings,” says Sia, who holds a degree in computing from the University of Staffordshire in Britain.

Whether SMG will be the place where Sia eventually retires remains to be seen.

For now, he treasures the friendships, respect and sense of belonging that have made his time at the company meaningful.