Chief Secretary, Public Service DG To Present Detailed Wfh Proposals To MTEN - Fahmi

PUTRAJAYA, March 17 (Bernama) -- Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Public Service director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz will present detailed proposals on working from home (WFH) at the upcoming National Economic Action Council (MTEN) meeting, said MADANI Government spokesman Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.

Fahmi, who is also Communications Minister, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, at today’s Cabinet meeting, had called for several matters to be followed up more closely and presented for decision at the MTEN meeting to be held after Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

“The Cabinet today received an initial report from the Chief Secretary, which was also prepared by the Public Service director-general, regarding WFH for the public sector.

“The priority will certainly be non-critical sectors. The Prime Minister has requested that the Chief Secretary present a more comprehensive proposal at the next MTEN meeting,” he said at a post-Cabinet press conference here today.

He said the proposed implementation of WFH would not involve critical sectors such as education, healthcare and frontline services.

Commenting on whether the initiative would involve the private sector, Fahmi said discussions are currently focused on civil servants, given the large number of personnel in the sector and the need for policy coordination at the government level.

“However, the government does not prevent the private sector from implementing WFH if they feel there is a need at this time,” he said.

Fahmi said the Prime Minister also stressed that ministers must be proactive in holding engagement sessions with agencies under their respective ministries as well as industry stakeholders to obtain a comprehensive picture of the current challenges faced by each sector.

He said, for example, Transport Minister Anthony Loke had held discussions with players in the aviation sector following developments in West Asia that have impacted the industry.

“What will be done next is to compile all findings, and from the overall outcome, it will provide direction for efforts, initiatives and government assistance for certain sectors, if deemed necessary,” he said.

-- BERNAMA