28/04/2026

TUESDAY | APR 28, 2026

/thesuntelegram FOLLOW / Malaysian Paper

ON TELEGRAM m RAM

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‘WFH monitoring system could misjudge performance’

RM12.38 million disbursed to media for digital growth KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 34 selected media organisations have received RM12.38 million in funding under the first phase of the Media Innovation Fund to accelerate their digital transformation. Communications Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching said the disbursement is part of a larger RM30 million allocation by the Communications Ministry this year, aimed at strengthening the local media industry’s resilience amidst a rapidly changing digital landscape. She said each application is eligible for grants of up to RM300,000, covering areas such as media personnel training, technology adaptation, infrastructure support, and content research and development. “Phase one closed in January, phases two to four have been implemented through successive application windows opened in February, March and April, and are currently at the approval committee stage. “Phase Five for the Media Innovation Fund will open from this Friday to May 14, 2026, and media organisations that have not yet applied are encouraged to take this opportunity,” she said in her opening remarks when officiating at the 21st General Assembly of the Confederation of Asean Journalists (CAJ) event yesterday. Also present were CAJ president Atal Sembiring Depari, CAJ permanent secretary Ahmed Kurnia and the National Union of Journalists Malaysia president Low Boon Tat. Teo said the Tun Abdul Razak Broadcasting and Information Institute continues to spearhead digital transformation within the media industry, successfully holding 41 artificial intelligence (AI) courses since the inception of its dedicated training programme in 2024, with a total of 1,552 participants. She also reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to upholding media professionalism and safeguarding press freedom, adding that the establishment of the Malaysian Media Council (MMM) in June 2025 marks an important milestone for the industry. She said as of today, the MMM has received seven complaints involving issues such as reporting accuracy, unauthorised use of images and the impact of content on social harmony, of which five have been resolved and two are currently under review. “To further enhance transparency and accountability, all complaints are now submitted through the official MMM platform, ensuring that each case is systematically recorded, assessed and managed in a structured and professional manner, reflecting our commitment to a fair and responsible media ecosystem.” When asked whether complaints against the media would be handled by the MMM alone and not through criminal prosecution, Teo said the matter fell under the jurisdiction of the police and the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC). “When the police receive a complaint, they still have the right to investigate, and after that, they will refer the case to the AGC to decide whether to close it or take any appropriate action, including prosecution. “But I hope that as the MMM matures, it could become the first stop for handling issues involving the media, and it is important that enforcers and reporters show mutual respect as they do their jobs.” – Bernama

work purposes. “Proportionality is key. Tracking should be limited to working hours and legitimate institutional needs.” On April 15, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim directed closer monitoring of the work from-home (WFH) implementation across the public sector, including verifying the presence of civil servants working remotely. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the directive was issued to Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar following a Cabinet discussion. Universiti Sains Malaysia associate professor Dr Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Farouk said an effective WFH policy depends on trust between employer and employee. “Whatever monitoring mechanisms are used would be futile unless employees have a strong sense of duty and responsibility to carry out their tasks with integrity.” He added that highly motivated workers and a conducive environment are more likely to drive productivity, emphasising that it cannot be achieved through coercion alone. Azeem said as remote work has become more entrenched since the Covid-19 pandemic, allowing non-critical staff to work from home had not produced adverse outcomes. He said WFH policies should remain flexible and grounded in mutual understanding between the government and civil servants. “A trusting relationship is a prerequisite for a workable WFH policy. Without it, such policies will not be effective.”

against relying on location data as a primary metric, adding that precise geo-location information is classified as personal data under privacy principles. “Mishandling such data could lead to privacy breaches and potential legal consequences.” He added that constant surveillance could erode morale and create a sense of intrusion among employees. “There is a real risk that continuous monitoring would make staff feel their personal space is being encroached upon.” He also highlighted technical limitations, including GPS inaccuracies, signal loss and the possibility of deliberate spoofing, which could compromise the reliability of the system. “If human resource decisions, promotions or disciplinary actions are based on flawed data, organisations risk penalising staff unfairly or making poor strategic decisions,” he said, emphasising the need for corroborating evidence. He also said tracking must be confined to legitimate work purposes and clearly communicated to employees, adding that excessive data collection or monitoring beyond working hours could breach ethical and legal boundaries. Aw called for safeguards, including informed consent and transparent policies outlining the purpose of data collection, retention periods and access rights. He said organisations must enforce encryption, strict access controls and regular audits to ensure data is used only for defined

o Location tracking does not indicate if meaningful work is being done, says expert

Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: A government system monitoring up to 200,000 civil servants working from home is under scrutiny amid concerns it could misjudge performance and unfairly penalise staff by tracking location instead of actual output. The Secure Personnel Online Tracking system, introduced on April 15, records attendance and work activity through hourly geo-location tracking, but experts say it may not accurately reflect productivity and could result in flawed performance assessments. Malaysia Board of Technologists professional technologist Aw Yoke Cheng said such tracking largely indicates where a device is located, not whether meaningful work is being delivered. “Presence in a location does not equate to work output. Real productivity comes from outcomes and deliverables, not location pings,” he said, adding that indicators such as report quality and project milestones provide a more accurate measure of performance. Aw, who is also a digital business and technology assistant professor, cautioned GEORGE TOWN: Penang is now allowing businesses to place tables and chairs on five-foot walkways but only under strict conditions that preserve pedestrian access. Under a new Penang Island City Council policy introduced this month, operators may apply for permits, provided a separate pedestrian walkway exists and a minimum clearance of 1.2m is maintained. City Council licensing director Danny Koay said approval would not be granted where the five-foot way is the only pedestrian path. “If there is no additional walkway, then it is not allowed. The five-foot way must remain clear for pedestrian use.” The policy is limited to tables and chairs, and does not cover stalls or other structures. Each application is capped at a maximum of 10 tables and chairs. However, compliance may prove challenging in older parts of the city, particularly along heritage shoplot rows where space is limited. Koay cited Chulia Street as an example, saying here is no additional walkway beyond the five-foot way. He added that the council has carried out repeated seizures in the area. He also said enforcement begins with education and advisory notices, followed by compounds for continued non-compliance. He said items may be seized if safety concerns arise, and licences could be revoked, although this is rarely necessary as most operators eventually comply. Koay said the policy does not extend to food trucks, which fall under a separate licensing framework. He added that food truck operators must apply for licences and propose up to three locations, which are then assessed for safety, traffic flow and congestion risks before approval is granted. He also said certain locations, such as areas

Penang green-lights tables, chairs on five-foot paths

Koay said the policy is limited to tables and chairs and does not cover stalls or other structures. – PIC COURTESY OF PENANG CITY COUNCIL

pedestrians, including wheelchair users, onto roads. Disability groups have said walkways are already inadequate in many areas and have called for stricter enforcement, better planning and clearer guidelines to safeguard pedestrian access. A coffee shop owner in Sungai Ara told theSun : “Who cares about the fines? We just pay them and continue as usual.” The owner added that such practices are widespread among operators. Applications to use five-foot walkways can be submitted via City Council’s uLesen portal at ulesen.mbpp.gov.my. – By T.C. KHOR

adjacent to privately-managed promenades including Karpal Singh Drive, fall outside City Council’s direct enforcement jurisdiction. “Residents and business tenants in such areas would need to raise obstruction complaints with the relevant management body rather than the council.” On April 20, theSun reported that fines aimed at curbing obstruction of five-foot walkways in Penang had failed to deter offenders, with some businesses treating penalties as a cost of doing business. Encroachment remains widespread, forcing