04/04/2026

SATURDAY | APR 4, 2026

2

Multiple benefits from expanding WFH facility: NGO o ‘If 50% of Klang Valley workers choose option, govt could save up to RM169 million monthly in fuel subsidies and cut traffic congestion, air pollution and carbon emissions’

Maternity leave allowance under Socso being mulled SUBANG: The Human Resources Ministry is reviewing a proposal to introduce a maternity leave assistance allowance through Socso. Its minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said the proposed allowance, to be implemented under Socso’s insurance system, is expected to benefit more than 100,000 women nationwide. “Women are not only contributors but also key drivers of the national economy,” he said at the ministry’s Labour Day event on Thursday. He added that the ministry is also developing further measures to enhance the welfare of workers. On another matter, Ramanan said in a statement he had an audience with the Sultan of Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin on Thursday to present updates on the development of the Socso Rehabilitation Centre in the state. He said the project is expected to strengthen the country’s social security system, particularly in supporting the rehabilitation and return to work of Socso contributors who are injured or disabled. – Bernama

Communications Ministry has called on the Malaysian Media Council to hold discussions with local media companies and organisations to gather feedback on the implementation of a work-from home (WFH) policy for the sector. Its minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the ministry’s top priority in any decision on the policy is to safeguard the welfare of media personnel nationwide. “I will also request the Information Department to take the necessary measures, including gathering public feedback. Any further considerations will then be forwarded to the Public Service director-general and communicated to the Cabinet and the ministry,” he told a media conference yesterday. Earlier, Fahmi witnessed the signing of an MoU between the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) to strengthen PETALING Expanding the work-from-home (WFH) model across the Klang Valley could save the government up to RM169 million a month in fuel subsidies while helping to sharply cut traffic congestion, air pollution and carbon emissions, according to a study by environmental group RimbaWatch. The findings were derived from a hypothetical circumstance in which 50% of Klang Valley employees work from home under the following parameters: 0 employed population in the Klang Valley given at 4.1 million; 0 employees assumed to be working from home at 2.05 million individuals; 0 average round-trip commute set at 20km; and 0 fuel consumption in heavy traffic at 0.11 litres per km. “Based on these parameters, Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com JAYA:

instead be channeled into public infrastructure such as 15,000 electric buses, 30,000km of covered walkways, 60,000km of protected bicycle lanes and 620 trainsets,” it said, urging a shift towards improved public transport to reduce reliance on private vehicles. It also highlighted renewable energy, especially solar, as a more stable and cost-competitive alternative to fossil fuels, adding that transitioning to renewables would strengthen energy security and reduce exposure to global price shocks. “As geopolitical tensions drive energy volatility, WFH could act as a short-term fiscal stabiliser. However, it would require sector specific adjustments, stronger digital infrastructure and labour policy reforms. “If sustained, large-scale remote work could deliver broad fiscal, environmental and social benefits and reshape urban mobility and energy use in the long term.”

respiratory diseases among the leading causes of death.” The group also highlighted that transport remains a major contributor of air pollution, with private vehicles accounting for about 70% of it in the Klang Valley. It said cutting 2.05 million daily commuter vehicles could markedly improve air quality. “The analysis estimates that such a shift could avoid approximately 10,400 tonnes of CO Œ emissions per day, 208,000 tonnes per month and 2.5 million tonnes per year – a reduction comparable to the annual emissions of smaller nations, including Fiji, underscoring the scale of its potential climate impact.” It emphasised that Klang Valley commuters currently spend an estimated 580 hours annually in traffic, alongside average vehicle maintenance and fuel costs of about RM9,000 per year per driver. “If fuel subsidies reach RM48 billion a year, the funds could

in combating and preventing scams. Also present were Finance Deputy Minister Liew Chin Tong, MCMC chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din and SC chairman Datuk Mohammad Faiz Azmi. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had announced on Wednesday that the WFH policy for the public sector and government linked companies would take effect from April 15 as a proactive measure to address the global energy crisis. On Thursday, the Public Service Department announced that federal civil servants stationed in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya as well as Selangor and all state capitals with a one-way commute exceeding 8km are eligible to WFH beginning April 15. “States observing weekly rest days on Sunday will implement WFH from Tuesday to Thursday while states observing weekly rest days on Friday will implement WFH from Monday to Wednesday.” – Bernama each commuter uses an average of 2.2 litres of petrol per day. Removing half of daily commuting trips would avoid approximately 4.51 million litres of petrol consumption per day or 90.2 million litres per month. “At a subsidy rate of RM1.99 per litre, this translates into estimated monthly fiscal savings of RM169 million. Over a 12-month period, this could amount to RM2.03 billion in avoided subsidy expenditure for the Klang Valley alone,” it said in a statement yesterday, RimbaWatch said if expanded nationwide, the savings could exceed RM1 billion per month, depending on the proportion of jobs suitable for remote work. It added that beyond fiscal relief, the shift to WFH could also deliver significant environmental and public health benefits. “Air pollution is estimated to cost Malaysia about RM303 billion a year in healthcare losses (around 20% of GDP) and is linked to about 32,000 premature deaths annually, with

Media council asked to gather feedback on policy KUALA LUMPUR: The enforcement cooperation

(From left) Salim, Fahmi, Liew and Muhammad Faiz during the MoU signing ceremony in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

Advice to civil servants undertaking work from home option SHAH ALAM: Department heads must ensure that staff undertaking work from home (WFH) adhere to prescribed rules and procedures while meeting set KPIs. emphasises increased productivity. “In response to economic comply with established rules and procedures, with output and

except for safety or public interest reasons.” He said the government is also reducing official overseas visits to minimise costs, Bernama reported. The phased implementation of WFH is a strategic government measure to strengthen preparedness in facing a global energy crisis following the conflict in West Asia.

driving the implementation wisely. “In the office, if lights and fans are not in use, switch them off. Air conditioning should be set at an appropriate temperature. Meetings can also be conducted online to reduce travel costs and paper usage. “Avoid wastage, and unless absolutely necessary, refrain from purchasing luxury assets for office use

productivity maintained at the same level, if not higher, than in-office work,” he said at the Selangor-level Taat Setia Madani Road Tour at Dewan Raja Muda Musa yesterday. He said civil servants must set an example for the public by not only carrying out instructions but also

pressures and current needs, the government, through the Cabinet, on April 1, has agreed that the WFH policy will be implemented starting on April 15. “However, there should be no misunderstanding. WFH does not mean ‘resting’ or ‘shopping’. It must

Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said the move is in line with the Public Service Reform Agenda under Pillar 2: Human Capital Development, which