Latest news with #BicaraFigura
The Sun
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
ASEAN Summit: Civil servants' WFH applications being received, approved
KUALA LUMPUR: Several ministries, departments and government agencies have started receiving work from home (WFH) applications from civil servants in conjunction with the upcoming ASEAN Summit at the end of this month. Public Service director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz, however, did not reveal the number of applications received, noting that some have already been approved. 'What's important is that civil servants must submit their applications to their respective heads of department (HODs), who must then verify whether the road closures will actually affect the officers' commute, as we do not want anyone taking advantage of this flexibility. 'HODs must ensure the officers are genuinely impacted and assign key performance indicators (KPIs) during the WFH period to ensure that the tasks are completed without disrupting operations,' he told reporters after attending the Bicara Figura: Menelusuri Aspirasi Memaknai Reformasi programme at the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) headquarters here today. Also present were RISDA chairman Manndzri Nasib, RISDA director-general Zainal Azni Zulkifli and RISDA Holdings group chief executive officer Alias Ibrahim. On May 7, the Public Service Department (PSD), in a statement, said civil servants likely to be affected by traffic congestion during the ASEAN Summit are advised to apply for WFH arrangements. The department said, in line with the MADANI Government's commitment to enhancing the well-being of the people and ensuring the continuity of public services, the WFH policy would continue to be implemented flexibly, subject to existing regulations. Earlier, during the Bicara Figura programme, Wan Ahmad Dahlan said the government is still in the research phase regarding flexible working arrangements for civil servants to promote better work-life balance. He said a study is being conducted by PSD to support those who genuinely require the option to work from home. 'Flexible working is already widely practised in developed countries, but there is still some hesitation among employers here. This initiative aims to assist those who truly need to work outside the office. 'For instance, pregnant women whose tasks can be done from home. What's most important is that HODs adopt a mindset of trust towards their officers. 'When implementing such a policy, KPIs must clearly be defined. Perhaps three days working from home and two days in the office -- that is the kind of flexibility we are looking at,' he said. Meanwhile, Wan Ahmad Dahlan said the post of Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) director-general is expected to be filled soon, as the candidate selection process is now in the final stage. He said that, as with appointments to several other senior positions, the selection process involves multiple screening levels before an official announcement is made. The position has been vacant since Feb 9, following the retirement of Datuk Seri Hazani Ghazali.
The Sun
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Civil servants' WFH applications being approved
KUALA LUMPUR: Several ministries, departments and government agencies have started receiving work from home (WFH) applications from civil servants in conjunction with the upcoming ASEAN Summit at the end of this month. Public Service director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz, however, did not reveal the number of applications received, noting that some have already been approved. 'What's important is that civil servants must submit their applications to their respective heads of department (HODs), who must then verify whether the road closures will actually affect the officers' commute, as we do not want anyone taking advantage of this flexibility. 'HODs must ensure the officers are genuinely impacted and assign key performance indicators (KPIs) during the WFH period to ensure that the tasks are completed without disrupting operations,' he told reporters after attending the Bicara Figura: Menelusuri Aspirasi Memaknai Reformasi programme at the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) headquarters here today. Also present were RISDA chairman Manndzri Nasib, RISDA director-general Zainal Azni Zulkifli and RISDA Holdings group chief executive officer Alias Ibrahim. On May 7, the Public Service Department (PSD), in a statement, said civil servants likely to be affected by traffic congestion during the ASEAN Summit are advised to apply for WFH arrangements. The department said, in line with the MADANI Government's commitment to enhancing the well-being of the people and ensuring the continuity of public services, the WFH policy would continue to be implemented flexibly, subject to existing regulations. Earlier, during the Bicara Figura programme, Wan Ahmad Dahlan said the government is still in the research phase regarding flexible working arrangements for civil servants to promote better work-life balance. He said a study is being conducted by PSD to support those who genuinely require the option to work from home. 'Flexible working is already widely practised in developed countries, but there is still some hesitation among employers here. This initiative aims to assist those who truly need to work outside the office. 'For instance, pregnant women whose tasks can be done from home. What's most important is that HODs adopt a mindset of trust towards their officers. 'When implementing such a policy, KPIs must clearly be defined. Perhaps three days working from home and two days in the office -- that is the kind of flexibility we are looking at,' he said. Meanwhile, Wan Ahmad Dahlan said the post of Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) director-general is expected to be filled soon, as the candidate selection process is now in the final stage. He said that, as with appointments to several other senior positions, the selection process involves multiple screening levels before an official announcement is made. The position has been vacant since Feb 9, following the retirement of Datuk Seri Hazani Ghazali.
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
PSD in final stages of work-from-home study for govt servants
KUALA LUMPUR: The Public Service Department is currently in the final stages of a study to provide flexibility to civil servants who need to work from home. PSD director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz said the department also looked comprehensively at the types of relaxation that could be given and the methods of implementation. "The department always listens to the complaints of civil servants... we cannot feel comfortable with what we have now, but we need to be dynamic and always look at how to provide comfort to them. "That is why we are in the final stages of a study to see in terms of work flexibility, not necessarily working in an office. "Maybe this can be seen in terms of the needs of civil servants, for example for pregnant women, they have a need not to work in the office," he said. Wan Dahlan said this after the Bicara Figura programme at the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority headquarters here, today. He said Malaysia's working culture remains traditional compared to more advanced nations, adding that there was a need for the department to support civil servants who need to work from home. "What is most important (in implementing the work from home policy) is the mindset of department heads... some don't really believe that their employees are working but are doing other things. "If such a policy is to be implemented, key performance indicators (KPIs) must be introduced. Apart from that, we can set a five-day work week where, for example, only three days are (for the civil servants) to work at home, the other two days at the office. "Through KPIs, employees (who work from home) must present their work outcomes to their respective department heads," he said. On the work from home policy in conjunction with the upcoming Asean Summit this month, he said some requests have already been approved through applications submitted by individual department heads. He said the policy was provided for under the Human Resources Service Circular (MyPPSM) Section SR.4.1.2, which aims to strike a balance between the agency's operational needs and the welfare of officers, including work-life harmony. "This is not something new. For instance, during the Covid-19 pandemic, civil servants were also allowed to work from home, although at the time it was more strictly regulated and they had to work from a registered home address. "But now it has been relaxed. For example, they can work from anywhere, including a family member's residence. "Most recently, in the case of the gas explosion in Putra Heights, affected officers were allowed to work from a relative's home due to the disaster making it difficult for them to report to the office," he said.
