SHAH ALAM, March 17 — A proposal to implement work from home arrangements among civil servants cannot be applied across the board as some sectors require physical presence on the ground.
Executive councillor for human resources and poverty eradication Papparaidu Veraman said the approach could still bring benefits, including saving fuel and reducing traffic congestion.
However, he said the proposal must be studied thoroughly, taking into account the job requirements of each sector.
“Working from home can indeed help with savings, including fuel use. But when examined more closely, not all sectors can implement this method,” said Papparaidu, who is also the Banting state assemblyman.
He said this when met at the Ramadan iftar event organised by the Banting state constituency service centre yesterday.
Papparaidu said some jobs, including journalists and several roles in the public service, require officers to be on the ground to gather information or monitor projects.
“Certain jobs require individuals to go to the field, interview relevant parties or visit project sites. These responsibilities cannot be avoided and cannot be carried out entirely from home,” he said.
He added that for sectors or roles where it is suitable, work from home arrangements could be considered as they help save time and improve work life balance.
However, any policy must be carefully designed to ensure it does not affect productivity or the existing work system.
“Working from home is good, but we must ensure its implementation does not affect productivity, the economic structure or the existing work system,” he said.
Papparaidu said the method had proven effective during the Covid-19 pandemic, but its implementation must be adapted to current circumstances.
Last Friday, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the proposal to implement work-from-home arrangements in the public sector would be decided at the Cabinet meeting today.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instructed Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Public Service director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Wan Abdul Aziz to study the proposal and ensure several aspects are properly coordinated.
