Chief Secretary Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said the policy would be subject to eligibility criteria and approval from respective department heads.

“Not everyone will be involved—we will assess based on several factors.

“Approval for WFH rests with the heads of departments,” he told reporters after officiating the Public Sector Innovation Programme 2026 at the MBSA Convention Centre here today.

According to a government circular issued on April 2, civil servants living more than 8km away from their offices will be allowed to WFH for three days a week, effective April 15.

Earlier in his speech, Shamsul expressed confidence that allowing civil servants to WFH would not compromise administrative performance.

“We must not treat the implementation of WFH as an excuse to delay or postpone any of the programmes we have already scheduled.

“What we need to do is review these programmes to ensure they align with current cost-saving policies—not cancel or defer them if they are truly necessary,” he added.

In the same vein, Shamsul stressed that the ability to innovate is no longer optional, but a critical necessity.

“The public service is expected to be more agile, adaptive, and forward-looking in crafting solutions that are not only responsive, but also capable of early prevention and resilient in the face of challenges.

“It is time for us to develop an innovation model rooted in Malaysia’s realities. We already have a strong domestic innovation foundation.

“Innovation is not just about creating new technologies—it is also about reforming systems, improving processes, and enhancing the wellbeing of the people,” he said.