Over 200,000 public servants are eligible for the new work-from-home arrangement, with approval subject to department heads’ discretion based on operational needs.
SHAH ALAM: More than 200,000 public servants are expected to be involved in the rollout of the work-from-home directive starting tomorrow.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said approval for working from home will 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.
Shamsul Azri expressed confidence that public servants would continue to carry out their duties with full integrity during the WFH period.
“The government has approved the WFH policy starting April 15, but I am confident public servants will not be lounging at home or going shopping at supermarkets,” he said.
He stressed that working from home cannot be used as an excuse to delay or postpone planned programmes.
Public servants should instead review implementation to align with current cost-saving measures without cancelling essential activities, according to Shamsul Azri.
“We are asking that programmes be reviewed so they fit the current cost-saving policy, not cancelled or postponed; if they are truly necessary, we must still carry them out,” he said.
The government has approved a three-day-a-week WFH arrangement for ministries, agencies, statutory bodies and government-linked companies.
This policy is 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 all state capitals who live more than eight kilometres from their offices.
It excludes those in the security, defence, health and education sectors.
