Civil Servants No Longer Required To Wear Neckties At Work Or During Meetings – JPA

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 31 (Bernama) -- All civil servants are no longer required to wear neckties during working hours or when attending meetings, according to the Public Service Department (JPA).

The directive, outlined in a circular dated Oct 31, 2025, signed by JPA director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz, is in line with the MADANI Government’s administrative approach introduced in November 2022, which emphasises a more flexible and people-friendly working environment without compromising professionalism.

“Taking into account the local climate as well as the need for energy efficiency and conservation under the General Circular No. 2 of 2014, the government has agreed that all civil servants are no longer required to wear neckties during working hours and meetings,” it read.

However, it said said the wearing of neckties remained mandatory for certain official events such as welcoming ceremonies for foreign delegations, as well as international meetings, colloquiums, or conferences involving foreign dignitaries or leaders.

In addition, ministries and departments may specify the requirement to wear neckties for certain official functions or programmes, provided the instruction is clearly stated in the invitation letter or email to avoid confusion.

The JPA also stated that under this new directive, the requirement to wear neckties as outlined in Paragraph A.5 of the Human Resource Service Circular (MyPPSM) Section UP.7.2.3 on Dress and Appearance Etiquette for Civil Servants was now exempted from enforcement.

-- BERNAMA