In the race for top talent, especially in high-demand sectors like AI and tech, some companies are now paying employees not to work, just to stop them from joining competitors. Is this smart business, an ethical grey zone, or a sign the talent war has gone too far?



We explore how golden handcuffs — lucrative or restrictive retention strategies — are changing how companies protect talent in Malaysia with Selvamalar Alagaratnam, Partner & Head of the Employment Practice Group at Skrine. We discuss what’s legal, what’s fair, and how should both employers and employees respond?

In the race for top talent, especially in high-demand sectors like AI and tech, some companies are now paying employees not to work, just to stop them from joining competitors. Is this smart business, an ethical grey zone, or a sign the talent war has gone too far?We explore how golden handcuffs — lucrative or restrictive retention strategies — are changing how companies protect talent in Malaysia with Selvamalar Alagaratnam, Partner &amp; Head of the Employment Practice Group at Skrine. We discuss what’s legal, what’s fair, and how should both employers and employees respond?

Helping you navigate the ever-changing universe of business, from headlines to the bottom line

Helping you navigate the ever-changing universe of business, from headlines to the bottom line

Enterprise Explores

Golden Handcuffs: Why Some Companies Are Paying Staff Not to Work

Do we still need women-focused business events in 2026? Our guests today 100% believe so. Lily Sim and Grace Tan, 2 of the 6 organisers behind the upcoming BeingOne event, join Enterprise Explores to discuss why business tips alone are worthless if entrepreneurs and business operators are running on an empty tank. 



They also unpack the event’s three non-negotiable pillars of optimism, nurturing connection, and physical energy. BeingOne is a two-day mentorship and leadership gathering dedicated to women-led businesses. It will take place on April 10 and 11.

Do we still need women-focused business events in 2026? Our guests today 100% believe so.&nbsp;Lily Sim and Grace Tan, 2 of the 6 organisers behind the upcoming BeingOne event, join Enterprise Explores to discuss why business tips alone are worthless if entrepreneurs and business operators are running on an empty tank.&nbsp;They also unpack the event’s three non-negotiable pillars of optimism, nurturing connection, and physical energy. BeingOne is a two-day mentorship and leadership gathering dedicated to women-led businesses. It will take place on April 10 and 11.

Why Women In Business Need Their Own Community

With 80% of oil passing through the Strait of Hormuz bound for Asia, the region faces an existential threat to its energy supply. Brent Crude’s $100 price tag isn't just a "fear premium"; it reflects a structural risk driven by infrastructure damage and a complex production restart process that can take months. 



Rystad Energy’s Head of APAC Oil & Gas Research Prateek Pandey breaks down why energy security has replaced affordability as the top priority for Asian policymakers and what this means for Malaysia’s upstream investments.



Tune In To Learn: 




The 15% Risk Premium: Why a ceasefire won't immediately bring prices back to $70, and the "physics" of why restarting production isn't an on/off switch.


The Shutdown Model: Why only 20% of shut-in production can be recovered within two weeks, while full restoration can take up to three and a half months.


Asian Dependency: Why the Philippines and Pakistan are the hardest hit, with over 95% dependence on the Strait of Hormuz for oil and gas.


Malaysia’s Fuel Subsidy Pressure: How sustained $100 oil could drive Malaysia's inflation to 3% and significantly bloat fuel subsidy costs.


The 2030 Plateau: Analysing Rystad’s data on Malaysia’s gas extraction peak and the urgent need for "Frontier Exploration" in Sabah and Sarawak.


The Rise of Mobile Assets: Why Floating LNG (FLNG) and FSRUs are the preferred strategic choice for developing smaller, stranded gas fields with shorter payback periods.


The Energy Transition Pivot: How the conflict has pushed "commercial economics" to the forefront, challenging the timeline for green energy vs. energy security.

With 80% of oil passing through the Strait of Hormuz bound for Asia, the region faces an existential threat to its energy supply. Brent Crude’s $100 price tag isn't just a "fear premium"; it reflects a structural risk driven by infrastructure damage and a complex production restart process that can take months.&nbsp;Rystad Energy’s Head of APAC Oil &amp; Gas Research Prateek Pandey breaks down why energy security has replaced affordability as the top priority for Asian policymakers and what this means for Malaysia’s upstream investments.Tune In To Learn:&nbsp;<ul><li>The 15% Risk Premium: Why a ceasefire won't immediately bring prices back to $70, and the "physics" of why restarting production isn't an on/off switch.</li><li>The Shutdown Model: Why only 20% of shut-in production can be recovered within two weeks, while full restoration can take up to three and a half months.</li><li>Asian Dependency: Why the Philippines and Pakistan are the hardest hit, with over 95% dependence on the Strait of Hormuz for oil and gas.</li><li>Malaysia’s Fuel Subsidy Pressure: How sustained $100 oil could drive Malaysia's inflation to 3% and significantly bloat fuel subsidy costs.</li><li>The 2030 Plateau: Analysing Rystad’s data on Malaysia’s gas extraction peak and the urgent need for "Frontier Exploration" in Sabah and Sarawak.</li><li>The Rise of Mobile Assets: Why Floating LNG (FLNG) and FSRUs are the preferred strategic choice for developing smaller, stranded gas fields with shorter payback periods.</li><li>The Energy Transition Pivot: How the conflict has pushed "commercial economics" to the forefront, challenging the timeline for green energy vs. energy security.</li></ul>

Oil Supply Shock: Will Supply Security Now Trump Cost?

Apple just turned 50, but for a $3.6 trillion giant, the bigger question is what comes next? In this special Enterprise Explores episode, we break down Apple’s legacy, from category-defining hits to notable missteps, and ask whether the company is starting to lose its edge in a fast-moving tech landscape shaped by AI.



Amin Ashaari of Soya Cincau joins us as we debate Apple’s biggest wins, questionable decisions, and key flops. 

Apple just turned 50, but for a $3.6 trillion giant, the bigger question is what comes next? In this special Enterprise Explores episode, we break down Apple’s legacy, from category-defining hits to notable missteps, and ask whether the company is starting to lose its edge in a fast-moving tech landscape shaped by AI.Amin Ashaari of Soya Cincau joins us as we debate Apple’s biggest wins, questionable decisions, and key flops.&nbsp;

Golden Handcuffs: Why Some Companies Are Paying Staff Not to Work

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