MERDEKA! More than just a word for fellow Malaysians, its an emotion. When we think of Merdeka, we think of the resilience and countless sacrifices of our forefathers who bravely fought against colonialism with a common vision of a free nation.

Q3 Managements Solutions and MyFreelys Academy together had a common mission to pay a tribute to our forefathers by doing their part and incorporating a special element this year in their annual Malaysian Employment Laws Conference (MELC) 2023. The MELC is conducted with an aim to elevate the skills of all the HR practitioners and professionals. Experts from across the country were invited as panel speakers to educate the attendees on Malaysian Employment laws and other relevant developments in the HR field. Participants were also given the chance to interact with these experts.

As it is, the MELC is annually hosted in the month of August to cultivate unity and patriotism within the HR community. However, this year the organisers progressed further in igniting the spirit of nationalism by getting all attendees to assemble Malaysia’s “Largest Merdeka Themed Indoor Human Mosaic”. To go bigger, the organisers collaborated with Jalur Gemilang Book of Records (JGBR) and marked this moment as a national record attempt. In line with the organisers’ mission, the human mosaic was a tribute to the country’s “Bapa Kemerdekaan”, Almarhum Tunku Abdul Rahman. The measurement of this indoor human mosaic was verified and validated by the custodian body for measurements, SIRIM National Metrology Institute of Malaysia (NMIM).

One of the most profound aspects of the spirit of Merdeka is its ability to unify a diverse population. This was exactly the atmosphere when the HR professionals and practitioners from various ethnicities, cultures and religions stood side by side helping one another to lift the mosaic pieces in an upright manner to ensure the completion of the image of our “Bapa Kemerdekaan”. Representatives from the custodian body then swiftly began to measure the full sides of the human mosaic, thereafter announcing a measurement of 266.328 metres square. The ballroom of Avante Hotel radiated with a euphoric atmosphere charged with unity and patriotism echoing the national pride with the joy of communal togetherness.

This extraordinary achievement by the participants successfully set a national record and made an entry in the JGBR. The record setting achievement was observed by Yang Berusaha Dato’ Dr Nelson Renganathan, Ahli Dewan Negara (Senator) and Dato Indera Dr Ahmad Sabirin Arshad, President and Group CEO of SIRIM Berhad. Yang Berusaha Dato’ Dr Nelson in his welcoming speech also reiterated the pivotal roles of the human resource industry and its importance in every organization. The HR department plays an integral role in ensuring the productivity of the organization and the employee satisfaction at work are both simultaneously attained.

Quoting the organisers, "We believe that the Malaysian Employment Laws Conference serves as a platform to shape the future of employment practices. It is not only an opportunity to enhance our knowledge but also to celebrate our shared commitment to progress," said Puan Emiliawati Zainol, Managing Director of Q3 Management Solutions Sdn Bhd.

Mr YK Lai, the Managing Director of MyFreelys Academy and President of the Malaysian Industrial, Commercial & Service Employers Association (“MICSEA”) further added "Surpassing last year's participant count, our goal was to ensure an unforgettable experience for each attendee by achieving a remarkable milestone in the Jalur Gemilang Book of Records. To achieve this, we conceived the concept of the “Largest Indoor Human Mosaic of Almarhum Tunku Abdul Rahman,” with the intention of instilling a renewed sense of Merdeka spirit, particularly in the Merdeka month.

The organisers envision to add value to those within the HR community through their conferences and trainings.  Whilst doing this, they will continue their progressive journey to nurture a collective sense of responsibility, pride and dedication to building a stronger and more inclusive society. The human resource department is commonly known to bridge the gap between employers and employees. Similarly, the organisers aim to unite the citizens around their shared love for the country bridging the gap of differences amongst them and reinforcing the notion that despite the differentiation, they are all part of a greater whole!