Staff of the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) make final preparations, including checking documents and organising files to be taken home, ahead of the implementation of the work-from-home arrangments (WFH) starting tomorrow (April 15). – Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR (April 14): The implementation of the work‑from‑home (WFH) policy for the public service, part of the government’s strategic efforts to strengthen preparedness for the global energy crisis triggered by conflict in West Asia, will begin officially tomorrow.
Federal public servants in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor and all state capitals with a one‑way commute of more than eight kilometres to their offices are eligible to work from home, a policy first introduced in 2020 and 2021 as part of COVID‑19 pandemic control measures.
WFH days are set according to each state’s weekly rest day: states that rest on Sunday observe WFH from Tuesday to Thursday, while those that rest on Friday observe WFH from Monday to Wednesday.
However, several sectors are excluded, including security and defence services such as the Malaysian Armed Forces, Royal Malaysia Police, Fire and Rescue Department, Malaysian Prison Department, Maritime Enforcement Agency, Border Control and Protection Agency, and Immigration Department.
The health sector, which provides critical services delivered by medical officers, pharmacists, dental officers, and nurses, is also exempt, as are education officers involved in school sessions.
All details and arrangements on the WFH policy are set out in the April 2 circular titled Pelaksanaan Bekerja Dari Rumah bagi Perkhidmatan Awam Berikutan Konflik Asia Barat (Implementation of Working from Home for the Public Service Following the West Asia Conflict), signed by Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz.
The circular has also been forwarded to all state public services, statutory bodies and local authorities for implementation in line with the government’s directive.
“For other eligible sectors, heads of departments are responsible for identifying essential services and setting the WFH schedule according to operational needs, with the workplace during the WFH period fixed at the address registered in the Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS),” the circular states.
Officers working from home must use the SPOT‑Me system to record attendance electronically with hourly geolocation tracking, while heads of department periodically monitor their presence and work output.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when announcing the implementation of the WFH policy for the public sector on April 1, described it as part of a proactive effort to address the global energy crisis.
He said the decision, made at a Cabinet meeting, aims to reduce fuel consumption and safeguard the country’s energy supply following the conflict in West Asia.
In addition, Economic Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir assured that the WFH policy will not disrupt the country’s economic activity, as it is designed to maintain productivity without affecting economic operations.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said internet access and other facilities at the National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI) can be utilised by public officers involved in the initiative.
Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, reminded heads of departments to ensure that officers working from home comply with the rules and meet their Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
“BDR (WFH) does not mean ‘Baring Duduk Rehat’ or ‘Beli‑belah Di Pasar Raya’. It must be carried out in accordance with the established rules and procedures. Output and productivity must be at least the same, and if possible, even better than when working in the office,” said Shamsul Azri. – Bernama
