Students, public servants to stay home and away from Asean Summit jam
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 102 schools in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor have been allowed to implement home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) and Work from Home (WFH) arrangements from Oct 23 to 29 in conjunction with the 47th Asean Summit, says the Education Ministry.
In a statement, it said the measure was taken to ensure that students’ learning processes would not be disrupted, taking into account road closures and security controls to be implemented throughout the duration of the summit.
“Parents, guardians, students, teachers and school staff involved are advised to refer to their respective schools’ official communication channels for further information regarding the implementation of PdPR and WFH,” it said yesterday, according to Bernama.
The ministry said the experience of implementing PdPR and WFH during the Covid-19 pandemic and the Asean Summit in May had proven effective in ensuring the continuity of the learning process while safeguarding the well-being of students, teachers and school staff.
The upcoming Asean Summit is expected to be the largest and most high-profile gathering of world leaders ever hosted in the country, with the attendance of several major world powers.
It was earlier reported that road closures and diversions will be conducted in stages from Oct 26 involving six major expressways and 25 roads in conjunction with the Summit.
Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said delegates from Asean countries will begin arriving on Oct 26.
He added periodic road closures and diversions will be implemented in stages, affecting six major expressways and 25 main roads across Kuala Lumpur starting Oct 26.
“Among the affected routes are Lebuh KLIA, Elite Expressway, NKVE, Guthrie Expressway, North-South Expressway, Mex Expressway and KL-Seremban Highway, as well as several main roads in the city centre, including Jalan Ampang, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Parlimen and Jalan Kuching,” he said.
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari was also reported as saying that the government has granted flexibility for state public servants and government-linked company employees to work from home during the Summit.
He said the measure aims to safeguard employee well-being and ease commuting difficulties amid expected heavy traffic as foreign delegations begin arriving today.
Employees may apply to their heads of departments (HODs) for approval to work remotely, depending on circumstances.
“This decision ensures continuous public service delivery while reducing travel burdens caused by traffic congestion,” he said.
Amirudin also encouraged the private sector to adopt similar flexible work arrangements where feasible.
The Public Service Department also announced a work-from-home policy for public servants affected by anticipated traffic disruptions during the Summit and related meetings, with participation subject to approval from respective HODs.
