In a bold move that could reshape corporate culture in Malaysia’s telecommunications industry, Tune Talk has done something no other local telco has done before, it made its employees co-owners even before going public.
As the company accelerates toward its Initial Public Offering (IPO), the newly announced ESTS Introduction signals more than just a structural change. It’s a statement about trust, shared success, and long-term financial empowerment.
A New Chapter In Employee Ownership
On 11 February 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Tune Talk officially introduced its Employee Share Trust Scheme (ESTS), positioning staff not just as workers, but as equity participants in the company’s growth journey.
The ESTS Introduction reflects the company’s belief that employees who help build value should also benefit directly from it. Instead of limiting rewards to salaries and statutory contributions, Tune Talk is creating a pathway for wealth accumulation and financial resilience.
This move aligns with broader national efforts to strengthen financial wellbeing among Malaysian workers, while reinforcing Tune Talk’s role as a forward-thinking, people-first organization.
Founder-Led Commitment: A Rare 4.15% Transfer
What makes this ESTS Introduction particularly significant is the founder-led contribution behind it.
Co-founder and CEO Gurtaj Singh Padda voluntarily transferred 4.15% of the company’s total issued share capital into a dedicated Trust Fund for employees. The transfer was formalised through a Trust Deed and will be managed by appointed Trustees.
According to Padda, employees today want to feel the impact of their work in real time, not years later. By placing shares into the Trust ahead of the IPO, Tune Talk ensures staff can grow financially alongside the company, rather than watching value creation from the sidelines.
It’s a rare move in Malaysia’s corporate landscape, particularly within the telco sector.
How The ESTS Works And Why It Matters
The ESTS Introduction creates a flexible structure that allows employees to:
- Participate in dividend distributions or performance-based rewards prior to IPO
- Receive welfare-based financial support when necessary
- Acquire shares under the Employee Share Option Scheme (ESOS) framework upon IPO
In simple terms, it offers immediate, tangible benefits while laying a structured pathway toward equity ownership.
As the first telco in Malaysia to introduce an ESTS of this nature, Tune Talk is setting a new benchmark for employee value participation. The initiative ensures that staff share directly in the company’s momentum in real time, reinforcing loyalty and long-term commitment.
Strengthening Its Position As Asia’s Fastest-Growing Cloud-Native Telco
Founded in 2009, Tune Talk has grown into Asia’s fastest-growing fully cloud-native Mobile Network Operator. The digital lifestyle telecommunications company is known for affordable unlimited calls, SMS, and high-speed internet packages tailored to modern consumers.
With the ESTS Introduction, Tune Talk is also strengthening its internal foundation.
In an era where talent retention and financial security are increasingly critical, this move positions Tune Talk as a company willing to redefine traditional employer-employee dynamics.
As it prepares for its IPO, one thing is clear: Tune Talk isn’t just building a telecommunications business. It’s building shared ownership, and rewriting what corporate growth can look like in Malaysia.
