KOTA SAMARAHAN: The success of the proposed work-from-home (WFH) policy hinges strictly on the discipline of employees and the implementation of strategic adjustments by industries.
Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, stressed that while WFH can help cushion the impact of rising global oil prices, it must not be mistaken for leisure time.
“Working from home does not mean a public holiday. Even if employees only go to the office two or three days a week, they are still required to work on the remaining days from home,” he said when met by reporters at the ‘Majlis Ramah Mesra Aidilfitri Kota Samarahan’ event at Dewan Suarah Kota Samarahan today.
Abdul Karim noted that many jobs today can be performed online using mobile devices and internet connectivity, making the transition to remote work more feasible for office-based sectors.
However, he acknowledged that certain industries, particularly those requiring physical presence such as food and beverage, may not be able to fully adopt the arrangement.
He added that industries must implement appropriate systems, including attendance tracking mechanisms, to ensure accountability among employees working remotely.
“Even when working from home, there must be a way to verify attendance, similar to clocking in at the office, to ensure that employees are fulfilling their responsibilities,” he said.
The Asajaya assemblyman also cautioned against misuse of the policy, warning that treating WFH arrangements as an opportunity for leisure activities reflects a lack of discipline.
He added while adjustments may take time, proper implementation of the WFH policy could help reduce fuel consumption, especially amid rising global oil prices driven by external factors such as geopolitical tensions.
