17/04/2026

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FRIDAY | APR 17, 2026

Private sector urged to implement WFH

o Companies should consider hybrid or remote work models to help reduce both operational and commuting costs for businesses and employees: Minister

similar flexible work models even before government implementation. He expressed hope that more private sector employers would follow suit. Concerns over productivity under WFH arrangements have been addressed through monitoring systems used by the public sector. Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar previously stressed that working from home does not mean reduced accountability. He urged civil servants to maintain or exceed performance expectations under the policy. He said WFH must be implemented in line with established rules and KPIs, adding that productivity must be maintained at office-level standards or higher. trusted and reliable trading partner, emphasising that freedom of navigation remains a key principle underpinning international trade. Responding to questions on a fire at the Viva Energy refinery in Geelong, he said Australia has secured an additional 100 million litres of diesel from Brunei and South Korea to bolster supply amid concerns over potential shortages. “This is the first of many expected shipments secured under the government’s new strategic reserve powers with the support of Export Finance Australia.” Albanese expressed relief that no workers were harmed during what he described as “very distressing scenes”, adding that the blaze had been extinguished, Bernama reported. He also thanked Fire Rescue Victoria and the Country Fire Authority for their swift response. He added that while a full damage assessment is still underway, the additional supply, equivalent to more than 570,000 barrels, would be directed to areas of greatest need, particularly to support the agricultural sector. “It’s a practical outcome of the engagement and the interventions that my government has had to deal with.” Media reports earlier said a major fire broke out at Viva Energy’s oil refinery in Geelong, one of Australia’s last two operational refineries, due to equipment failure. The blaze was contained to a section known as the transfer area, with no injuries reported. The refinery processes about

According government circulars, WFH schedules vary by state based on weekly rest days, with each department responsible for determining essential roles and assigning remote work arrangements according to operational needs. Employees are required to register their home address in the Human Resource Management Information System. To ensure accountability, officers working remotely are required to use the Spot-Me system, which records attendance through electronic check-ins and geolocation tracking. Staff are also expected to provide regular updates on their tasks throughout the day. Ramanan said many banking institutions and multinational companies have already adopted to PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia will pursue a balanced foreign policy by engaging all major powers while prioritising national interests and regional stability, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Stressing the need for peace and uninterrupted global trade flows, he said Malaysia maintains constructive relations with all major powers, including the United States, Russia and Iran. He also conveyed concerns from countries in the Gulf and the broader Arab world amid the ongoing tensions. “We have been engaging with more countries. My priority, the mandate that I have, is to protect the interests of the people in this country,” he said at a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese yesterday. Anwar reaffirmed Malaysia’s support for freedom of navigation along key maritime routes such as the Straits of Malacca and the Strait of Hormuz, while acknowledging security concerns arising from ongoing conflicts. “You cannot ignore the fact that when a country has been attacked and there is no assurance of security, those concerns must be addressed. “While supporting the position of freedom of navigation, we also want clear guarantees from all countries, including major powers, to end animosity, attacks and even sanctions against others.” Anwar said Malaysia prioritises peace and stability of global trade routes. “So, we look at it in a more comprehensive manner but ultimately, we are for peace and the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to the international community.” Albanese described Australia as a

employees to work from home up to three days a week, excluding Mondays and Fridays which he described as key working days. His remarks came as the federal public sector began implementing its nationwide WFH policy on April 15. Under the policy, federal civil servants in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor and state capitals, who live more than 8km from their workplaces, are eligible to work from home. However, essential services remain excluded, including security and defence agencies, healthcare personnel and education officers involved in school operations. The arrangement revives and refines earlier remote working measures first introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Seri R. Ramanan has said private companies should seriously consider hybrid or remote work models to help reduce both operational and commuting costs for businesses and employees. “This also saves the government on subsidies, which can be channelled to other deserving causes,” he said at a dialogue session titled “Work, Wages and Future”. Ramanan suggested that private sector firms consider allowing

PETALING JAYA: The private sector has been urged to follow the government’s lead in embracing work-from-home (WFH) arrangements as Malaysia expands flexible working policies amid rising cost pressures and global energy concerns. According to a news report, Human Resources Minister Datuk

Nation to continue pursuing balanced foreign policy, says PM

Over 12,000 cases of children without valid documents resolved Saifuddin said the Mekar Didik initiative focuses on children lacking birth certificates, MyKad or MyKid, which are vital for access to education and basic services. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

KUALA LUMPUR: The government, under the Mekar Didik initiative, has processed 12,101 cases of students without complete identification documents, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. He said the initiative, a collaboration between the Home Ministry and Education Ministry, focuses on children lacking birth certificates, MyKad or MyKid, which are vital for access to education and basic services. “All cases have been decided. Some are confirmed as Malaysian citizens while others are not. For those who qualify, we issued the relevant documents in accordance with the law,” he said at a document handover Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

days in Sabah and Sarawak. “Even if this period lapses, late registration is still allowed but it becomes a more complex process.” Late birth registrations remain significant, with 13,474 cases in 2023, 12,363 in 2024 and 10,527 in 2025. As of March 31 this year, 1,970 cases were recorded. Delays also occur in MyKad issuance at age 12, with thousands of late registrations annually. Saifuddin said in cases of unregistered marriages, parents must formalise their union before children’s documentation could be processed. He emphasised that the programme is being expanded to rural areas to close registration gaps. “The ultimate goal is clear – no child in Malaysia should be left without documentation or access to schooling.”

ceremony yesterday, during which 31 children received their papers. Saifuddin said causes for lack of documents include unregistered marriages, parental incarceration or detention at rehabilitation centres. “These factors contribute to children being left without proper documentation.” The initiative builds on the National Registration Department outreach programme Mekar but specifically targets school-age children. He said 496 cases have been resolved in Kuala Lumpur alone. “Many government assistance programmes today require a MyKad. If we do not resolve this issue early, they will continue to be left behind.” He urged parents to register births within the stipulated timeframe – 60 days in Peninsular Malaysia and 40

120,000 barrels per day, accounting for 50% of Victoria’s fuel needs and 10% per cent of national supply.