Putrajaya: The Chief Secretary to the Government (KSN) Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Public Service Director-General (KPPA) Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz are set to review a proposal for implementing work-from-home (WFH) arrangements within the public sector. This was confirmed by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, acting as the MADANI Government spokesperson, during a press conference held in Putrajaya. The decision on the proposal is expected to be made at the upcoming Cabinet meeting scheduled for next Tuesday.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has directed the KSN and KPPA to evaluate the WFH proposal to ensure proper alignment for the public sector. Fahmi addressed the media after a special Cabinet meeting focused on the impact of the ongoing conflict in West Asia. The meeting was also attended by Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan and Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
Recently, Wan Ahmad Dahlan highlighted the importance of implementing flexible working arrangements, such as WFH, to maintain government operations amid global uncertainties caused by geopolitical conflicts, disasters, and public health crises. Several ASEAN countries, including Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, have already announced similar precautionary measures as part of efforts to mitigate the impact of the conflict in West Asia.
These measures also include promoting the use of electric and hybrid vehicles to manage fuel demand due to concerns over potential energy supply disruptions. As part of the government's proactive approach, Fahmi mentioned that the Prime Minister has instructed all ministries to engage with industry players to gather feedback on the conflict's impact.
Furthermore, the findings from these engagements will be presented at the Cabinet meeting next Tuesday. Industry representatives will also have the opportunity to make presentations at the upcoming National Economic Action Council meeting to advocate for their sectors.
The conflict in West Asia, which began on February 28, involves attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, leading to retaliatory actions by Iran targeting US interests and allies. This has significantly affected global energy markets, especially with disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for approximately 20 per cent of the world's oil supply. The ongoing situation has introduced volatility in global oil prices amid fears of potential disruptions in energy supplies.