13/03/2026

FRIDAY | MAR 13, 2026

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Middle East tensions fuel calls for work-from-home policy

Govt mulling WFH for civil servants

adopting green technologies and programmes promoting digitalisation and hybrid work where feasible. However, Syed Hussain said remote work or staggered hours may have limited impact on overall energy consumption and could disrupt operational efficiency or service delivery. He added that short-term energy saving policies should remain flexible, consultative and sector-sensitive. “Employers generally prefer advisory guidelines rather than mandatory directives, allowing companies to adopt practices that are practical within their specific operational environments.” He also said longer-term strategies, including public transport improvements, energy-efficient technologies and support for managing rising energy costs would help strengthen economic resilience without undermining productivity or competitiveness. – By Harith Kamal PETALING JAYA: The government is considering work-from-home (WFH) arrangements for civil servants, with the possibility of the issue being raised at a Cabinet meeting, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said. He added that many private companies have embraced hybrid working models, including WFH, in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. “On the government’s side, we will study the feasibility of the WFH arrangements, and the matter may be discussed at tomorrow’s special meeting. “First, we will study the state of the global economy. We will look into the figures and determine what actions the government should take.” His comments came following Thailand’s move to introduce WFH for its government agencies and state enterprises, a strategy aimed at reducing energy consumption amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Human Resources Minister R. Ramanan yesterday said his ministry would explore energy saving measures, including cutting electricity use in government offices and expanding WFH options for employees to reduce operational costs. He added that the initiative mirrors approaches adopted by other countries and aims to ensure government spending is managed prudently. He also expressed support for the government’s decision not to hold any official Aidilfitri open houses this year for ministries, government agencies and government-linked companies, describing it as a precautionary measure against potential economic fallout from the West Asia conflict, particularly tensions between Iran and Israel. The crisis escalated after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, prompting retaliatory strikes by Tehran against US interests. – By Harith Kamal

o Feasibility of arrangement depends on company size, sector and workforce: Expert

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

hours and office energy-saving measures to cope with fuel concerns. “Malaysian companies understand the rationale behind such initiatives, but emphasise that feasibility and effectiveness depend heavily on sectoral needs,” Syed Hussain said, highlighting the challenges of applying blanket policies across industries that rely on on-site operations and direct customer interaction. “Many businesses, particularly in manufacturing, logistics, retail, construction and hospitality, require physical workforce presence and cannot rely extensively on remote work. “For these sectors, fuel cost increases primarily affect production, supply chains and distribution networks rather than employee commuting. “WFH measures may therefore have limited impact on overall fuel consumption.” labour-intensive businesses, face greater hurdles in adopting remote work, as their survival often depends on having employees on-site. “Medium and large companies, especially in the services sector, are better positioned to implement WFH policies.” He also said while temporary remote work could help employees save on commuting costs and fuel expenses, it also introduces potential challenges. Balakrishnan highlighted the psychological and financial effects of sudden shifts in work arrangements. “Employees may experience mental stress or emotional strain when working from home, particularly if they are unsure about their wages, overtime or allowances. “This is especially critical for those in the B40 group or middle income households which rely on a fixed salary to cover rent, utilities, education and daily expenses.” He emphasised the importance of government support, particularly for micro and small industries that might struggle to sustain operations during prolonged fuel price hikes. “Companies and governments must collaborate to protect employees from financial hardship while ensuring business continuity.” In addition to remote work, energy-saving measures such as reducing air conditioning could also impact employees. He explained that while energy conservation is necessary, it could affect health, safety and motivation if workers are exposed to uncomfortable temperatures. “During my research, including case studies in the steel, postal and automotive industries, we observed that employees supported

PETALING Malaysian employers are closely monitoring the ripple effects of ongoing Middle East tensions on global oil supplies, but say temporary work-from-home (WFH) or staggered office hours are unlikely to significantly reduce fuel consumption across the country’s diverse economy. Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman said the federation recognises that tensions in the Middle East have the potential to create volatility in global fuel and energy markets. He added that any sustained disruption to oil supply chains would indirectly affect businesses through higher transport costs, electricity tariffs, logistics expenses and overall operational costs. The alert comes as some Southeast Asian neighbours, including Thailand and Vietnam, have reportedly encouraged public employees to adopt WFH arrangements, staggered “Now, the legal framework under the Employment Act 1955, along with Sabah and Sarawak labour ordinances, allows companies to implement the measures officially.” He said large, service-based firms are better positioned than labour-intensive small and medium enterprises (SME), adding that a company’s operational nature plays a crucial role in determining feasibility. He added that SME, particularly JAYA: PETALING JAYA: With global fuel prices surging amid escalating Middle East tensions, Southeast Asian neighbours such as Thailand and Vietnam are reportedly turning to work-from-home (WFH) policies to slash energy consumption, and Malaysians are asking why the same strategy has not been widely considered here. Calls are growing for local companies to explore temporary WFH arrangements as a way to reduce operational costs and ease the financial strain on employees facing rising commuting and living expenses. Universiti Malaysia Kelantan human resource expert Prof Dr Balakrishnan Parasuraman said Malaysian firms could adopt WFH measures, but feasibility depends on company size, sector and workforce structure. “During the Covid-19 pandemic, we quickly realised that many companies were unprepared for remote work. “Yet when the crisis hit, they adapted by implementing flexible working arrangements and WFH policies.

Balakrishnan said flexible arrangements, part-time shifts or reduced working hours could help companies maintain production while safeguarding jobs. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

He added that sectors in which remote work is viable could adopt temporary, flexible arrangements, including hybrid models, staggered hours or energy-saving practices within offices, provided the measures remain advisory rather than mandatory. “It is important that any policy recommendation allows companies flexibility to determine arrangements that best suit their operational realities, productivity requirements and customer service obligations.” MEF also emphasised the importance of broader policy responses to support businesses. “Measures could include stabilising energy costs, supporting business continuity and improving energy efficiency across industries. “Incentives for energy-efficient equipment, better public transport connectivity and policies supporting digitalisation could reduce energy use without disrupting operations.” temporary energy-saving measures, as long as job security was not threatened. “Job security remains paramount; without it, the wellbeing of employees and their families is directly impacted.” For the human resource (HR) departments, the challenge lies in balancing operational efficiency with employee welfare. Balakrishnan said flexible arrangements, part-time shifts or reduced working hours could help companies maintain production while safeguarding jobs. “HR managers must carefully assess any policy to ensure it does not undermine employee morale or productivity. “It is crucial to retain committed and talented employees, as they are key to long-term value creation and company sustainability.” He said lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic provide useful guidance. “Companies that survived the

He also said energy-intensive sectors such as manufacturing, aviation and heavy industry have limited scope for WFH or staggered hours. “These industries rely on continuous operations and on-site staff, so any reduction in commuting would have only a marginal impact compared with the substantial energy required for production.” Customer-facing industries, including retail, hospitality, healthcare and essential services also require physical interaction. “Business hours and staffing are dictated by customer demand and service continuity, making adjustments difficult without affecting operations.” On incentives to encourage voluntary energy-saving, MEF recommended fiscal incentives and tax deductions for energy-efficient investments, grants for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) pandemic did so by adapting policies to sustain operations without compromising workforce loyalty. “HR departments advising CEOs effectively played a critical role in keeping businesses afloat.” As Malaysia navigates external pressures such as rising fuel costs and geopolitical uncertainty, temporary WFH policies and energy saving initiatives could offer short term relief. Balakrishnan emphasised that careful planning, employee support and government intervention are necessary to ensure that the measures do not inadvertently create financial or psychological strain for workers. “Ultimately, both employees and employers face challenges. “With proper preparation, transparent communication and a focus on retaining talent, companies could adapt successfully while protecting the wellbeing of their workforce.”

‘Flexible office hours unlikely to significantly reduce fuel consumption’