KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 9 — From now on, federal government offices will operate from 7.30am to 6pm Mondays to Fridays, Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Zainal Rahim Seman said today.
The directive will affect nine states and two federal territories nationwide, namely: Perlis, Penang, Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Melaka, Pahang, Sabah, Sarawak, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, The Star reported on its website.
The four remaining states of Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Johor which observe Friday as a day of rest will have their federal government offices open 7.30am to 6pm from Sunday to Wednesday and 7.30am to 4.30pm on Thursday.
“This is part of the public service transformation process and the continuous improvement of our services,” Zainal was quoted saying in Seremban, Negri Sembilan.
He was also reported adding that the shift was to provide federal civil servants greater flexibility.
Datuk Azih Muda who heads the Congress of Union of Employees in the Public and Civil Services Malaysia (Cuepacs) lauded the move, telling the news portal it would help civil servants with planning their day and lower the stress from making it to work on time.
“Some of them have things to do in the morning, like sending their children to nurseries, and are unable to come in at the third shift which starts at 8.30am.
“This will give them more flexibility and reduce the stress of rushing to work to avoid being late,” he was quoted saying.
However, Azih also told the daily that it may not be practical for counter services in smaller towns to stay open till 6pm as it will raise their utility bills.
