KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Association of Theme Parks & Family Attractions (Matfa) has called on the government to ensure implementation of the Work-From-Home (WFH) for the public sector will not have an impact on the domestic tourism industry.
While expressing support for the government’s effort to address the ongoing global energy crisis, Matfa said the policy —set to take effect on April 15 — could significantly dampen domestic travel and leisure spending, particularly among families.
“Matfa fully understands and supports the government’s objective to reduce fuel consumption and protect the rakyat from rising energy costs.
"However, a widespread and prolonged WFH implementation may carry economic trade-offs that warrant careful review.
"This policy may have an impact on restaurants, cafes, and entertainment venues in downtown areas. They will lose weekday revenue from commuters and business travelers,” said Matfa president Tan Sri Richard Koh.
He added that a decline in footfall would also impact nearby hotels, resorts, and homestays that rely on tourism-driven traffic.
“Lower visitor volumes will inevitably force operators to adjust — whether through reduced operating hours, scaled-back staffing, or delayed investments.
“This will, in turn, affect suppliers, contractors, and service providers throughout the value chain," Koh said.
In a special briefing on Wednesday (April 1), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the implementation of WFH arrangements for the public sector and government-linked companies (GLCs) effective April 15 as a proactive measure to address the global energy crisis.
The Prime Minister said the decision, reached at the Cabinet meeting, was aimed at reducing fuel consumption and the sustainability of the country’s energy supply affected by the conflict in the Middle East.
He stressed that the WFH move was part of a broader strategy to safeguard Malaysia’s energy security and protect the public from sudden price shocks.
Matfa said many businesses in the sector were still recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, during which domestic tourism played a critical role in sustaining operations.
The association also cautioned that a slowdown in domestic tourism could undermine momentum in the national tourism campaigns, including Visit Malaysia 2026.
“This shift could directly affect visitor numbers at theme parks, water parks, and family attractions, many of which depend heavily on domestic tourists,” Koh said.
In light of these concerns, Matfa is urging the government to adopt a more balanced and flexible approach to the WFH implementation.
Among the recommendations are targeted financial support for tourism operators, including wage subsidies, rental rebates, and utility assistance, as well as initiatives to stimulate domestic travel such as family tourism incentives, tax relief extensions, and promotional campaigns.
Matfa also called for clearer implementation guidelines and periodic reviews of the policy’s economic impact within the first 30 to 60 days.
Matfa has reiterated its commitment to working closely with the Government to ensure that policy decisions strike a balance between economic resilience and national priorities.
“We stand ready to engage in constructive dialogue to safeguard the recovery of Malaysia’s domestic tourism sector,” Koh said.
