SEBERANG PERAI, April 3 — The Penang state government will discuss the implementation of work-from-home (WFH) arrangements for its civil servants next week, following a new federal directive aimed at reducing national fuel consumption.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow noted that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had met with all chief ministers and menteri besar yesterday to discuss the matter. 

“The initial target was for federal agencies but if this is extended to state agencies, it will depend on the application of the guidelines here,” he said in a press conference after officiating a groundbreaking ceremony for a large scale solar farm 5 (LSS5) in Byram, Nibong Tebal here today.

The state executive council and the state secretary will meet next Wednesday to determine the scope and any additional guidelines needed, Chow said.

On Wednesday, Anwar announced that WFH arrangements for the public sector and government-linked companies (GLCs) will take effect on April 15.

Anwar said the measure was introduced to address the global energy crisis and ensure the sustainability of the nation’s fuel supply.

The federal guidelines were further clarified yesterday by Public Service Director-General Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz.

He specified that federal civil servants in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor, and all state capitals are eligible if their one-way commute exceeds eight kilometres.