Penang to Decide on Civil Service Work-From-Home Plan Next Week
SEBERANG PERAI — The Penang state government is set to decide next week on whether to implement work-from-home (WFH) arrangements for its civil servants, following a federal initiative aimed at reducing fuel consumption nationwide.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the matter will be discussed in an upcoming state executive council meeting, together with the state secretary, to determine how the policy could be adapted at the state level.
He noted that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had recently met with all chief ministers and menteri besar to outline the federal government’s approach to the initiative.
“At the initial stage, the policy targets federal agencies. If it is extended to state agencies, its implementation will depend on how the guidelines are applied here,” he said.
Chow was speaking after officiating the groundbreaking ceremony of a large-scale solar farm (LSS5) project in Byram, Nibong Tebal.
According to him, the upcoming meeting will focus on defining the scope of implementation as well as any additional guidelines required to suit the state’s operational needs.
The move follows the federal government’s announcement that WFH arrangements for public sector employees and government-linked companies (GLCs) will take effect from April 15.
The policy is part of broader efforts to address the global energy crisis and ensure sustainable fuel usage across the country.
In a related development, Public Service Director-General Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz clarified that federal civil servants in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor, and state capitals are eligible for WFH if their one-way commute exceeds eight kilometres.
Overall, Penang’s upcoming decision is expected to play a key role in shaping how flexible work policies are expanded at the state level in response to national energy concerns.
-wilayah.com.my
