Malaysia to roll out flexi-work arrangements for civil servants, PM\nAnwar urges private sector to follow<\/p>\n
In his special address on Thursday (Mar 26), Prime Minister Anwar\nIbrahim also announced that the 300-litre monthly quota for subsidised\nRON95 petrol under the BUDI95 programme has been reduced to 200 litres\nas an interim measure.<\/p>\n
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has urged the\nprivate sector to adopt more flexible work arrangements, including\nworking from home (WFH), following the civil service\u2019s move to implement\nsuch practices in coping with the global energy crisis.<\/p>\n
Speaking in a special address on Thursday (Mar 26), Anwar outlined\nMalaysia\u2019s strategic response to rising global oil prices after Iran\nclosed the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route through which about 20\nper cent of the world\u2019s oil and gas normally flows, since its war with\nUnited States and Israel began last month.<\/p>\n
Anwar said WFH arrangements would be implemented \u201cin stages and\nselectively\u201d for civil servants to help Malaysians better navigate the\neconomic pressures rising from global developments.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will also encourage the private sector to adopt similar practices\nthat have been implemented by several companies and banks so far,\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, Communications Minister and government\nspokesperson Fahmi Fadzil said the government was refining a proposal on\nWFH arrangements for the public sector, adding that many in the private\nsector had been doing so since the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
Anwar added that the government remains committed to maintaining\ndiscipline in public spending, curbing leakages and ensuring that\nMalaysia\u2019s economic growth momentum remains strong despite external\nchallenges.<\/p>\n
Malaysia continues to stand out as an attractive investment\ndestination despite global economic downturns, he said.<\/p>\n
Anwar, who is also the finance minister, called on both the public\nand private sectors to remain resilient to strengthen the country\u2019s\neconomic capacity in facing ongoing challenges.<\/p>\n
In his special address on Thursday evening, Anwar also announced that\nthe 300-litre monthly quota per person for the subsidised RON95 petrol\nunder the BUDI95 programme has been reduced to 200 litres as an interim\nmeasure.<\/p>\n
The new quota for the subsidised fuel, priced at RM1.99 (US$0.50) per\nlitre, is expected to take effect from next month.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe found that the average usage under BUDI95 is about 100 litres per\nmonth,\u201d said Anwar.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis means the majority of people use only around 100 litres monthly\nand nearly 90 per cent use less than 200 litres - therefore they will\nnot be affected.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that the measures are temporary, pending improvements in oil\nprices, supply conditions and the global economy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI sincerely ask for the public\u2019s understanding and cooperation.\nThese are steps we are compelled to take in light of the pressures we\nare facing,\u201d he was quoted as saying by Free Malaysia Today.<\/p>\n
\u201cRest assured, I do not want the public to feel burdened and every\nmeasure has been carefully and prudently considered.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also highlighted that many countries, including Malaysia\u2019s\nneighbours, have raised fuel prices but Malaysia has maintained the\nsubsidised RON95 price at RM1.99 per litre.<\/p>\n
The BUDI95 programme was introduced at the end of September last year\nto ensure that RON95 petrol subsidies benefit only eligible Malaysians,\nwhile curbing leakages to foreigners and commercial entities.<\/p>\n
Under the scheme, Malaysian citizens aged 16 and above with a valid\ndriving licence can purchase up to 300 litres of RON95 petrol per month\nat the subsidised price of RM1.99 per litre.<\/p>\n
Besides the new monthly quota for subsidised oil prices, Anwar also\nannounced that diesel purchases in East Malaysia, which are subsidised\nby the government, will be limited as part of efforts to curb hoarding\nand smuggling.<\/p>\n
Under the new regulation, light public transport, goods and private\nvehicles will be allowed only 50 litres per purchase, while public\ntransport and goods vehicles up to three tonnes will have a 100-litre\nlimit.<\/p>\n
Vehicles over three tonnes will be limited to 150 litres per\npurchase, The Edge reported.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is to ensure that the supply is available and can be\ndistributed fairly and adequately to everyone. Without these\nadjustments, there is a risk of hoarding and smuggling, as what has been\ndetected in the past,\u201d he said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/malaysia-to-roll-out-flexi-work-arrangements-for-civil-servants-pm-anwar-urges-private-sector-to-follow-1774605098", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }