SHAH ALAM: The work-from-home (WFH) directive that starts on Wednesday (April 15) is expected to involve more than 200,000 public servants.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said WFH approval would be at the discretion of individual department heads, based on operational needs and job suitability.
"The existing WFH system can accommodate up to 200,000 public servants but not all will be approved, as this is subject to each department head's discretion," he said after officiating the 2026 Public Sector Innovation Drive programme at the Shah Alam City Council Convention Centre on Tuesday (April 14).
At the event, Shamsul Azri said he was confident public servants working from home would continue to carry out their duties with full integrity.
"I am confident public servants will not be lounging at home or going shopping," he said.
He stressed that working from home cannot be used as an excuse to delay or postpone programmes, adding that public servants should instead review implementation to align with current cost-saving measures without cancelling essential activities.
"We are asking for programmes to be reviewed so they fit the current cost-saving policy, not cancelled or postponed. If they are truly necessary, they must still be carried out," he said.
The government has approved a three-days-a-week WFH arrangement for ministries, agencies, statutory bodies and government-linked companies, aimed at cutting fuel use and reducing government operating costs as a proactive response to the global energy crisis.
However, the policy applies only to public servants in Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and state capitals who live more than 8km from their offices and excludes those in the security, defence, health and education sectors. – Bernama
