Anwar advises private sector to implement WFH arrangements

 The prime minister calls on companies to follow the lead set by several banks.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said work-from-home arrangements would be implemented in stages for selected groups within the civil service.

PETALING JAYA:

 Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has advised the private sector to implement work-from-home (WFH) arrangements for the time being, in view of the impact from the Middle East conflict.

In a televised address this evening, he said WFH arrangements would be rolled out in stages for selected civil service groups.

“Besides the public sector, we also call on the private sector to adopt measures already implemented by several companies and banks,” he said.

In his speech, Anwar highlighted the conflict’s impact on global shipping routes and the resulting disruption to oil and gas supplies.

He announced several interim measures, including reducing the 300-litre monthly quota for subsidised RON95 petrol under the BUDI95 programme to 200 litres. The change is expected to take effect next month.

Anwar, who is also finance minister, emphasised that the measure is temporary, pending a recovery in oil prices, supply conditions, and the global economy.

Earlier this month, government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil said Putrajaya was refining a proposal on WFH arrangements for the public sector, with a decision expected after Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

The communications minister said private sector firms were free to adopt similar arrangements, noting that many had been doing so since the Covid-19 pandemic. - FMT