SHAH ALAM, March 13 — A decision on the proposal for civil servants to work from home (WFH) amid the ongoing West Asia conflict will be made next week, unity government spokesman Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said today.
He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Public Service director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz to examine the proposal.
Fahmi, who is communications minister, added that the review is aimed at ensuring effective coordination of the public service.
"The outcome of the discussion will be deliberated and decided at the Cabinet meeting next Tuesday," he said at a press conference following a special Cabinet meeting today.
The proposal to implement the WFH policy follows a similar approach taken by Thailand for its government agencies and state enterprises, in a move aimed at reducing energy consumption amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Meanwhile, Fahmi said Anwar has also instructed all ministries to conduct engagement sessions with industries under their respective portfolios to obtain feedback and insights on the possible impact of the West Asia conflict.
He said the results of these engagements will be similarly brought to the Cabinet meeting next Tuesday.
"Industry representatives will also be invited to present at the upcoming National Economic Action Council meeting. Communications will be issued either by the Prime Minister’s Office or the Finance Ministry."
Today's special Cabinet meeting was held to review the country’s fiscal position and closely monitor developments in Iran following the conflict in West Asia involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
The death toll from the conflict has exceeded 2,000 people, with most casualties in Iran. The unrest has also pushed up crude prices and created uncertainty in supply chains.
