WFH policy not suitable for all industries, says Sarawak minister

KOTA SAMARAHAN (April 4): Industries that cannot operate remotely must make the necessary arrangements to ensure the work-from-home (WFH) policy can be implemented effectively, said Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

The Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts said the policy would not apply to all sectors, as some jobs require workers to be physically present.

“Many jobs nowadays, if we observe, involve online work, using mobile phones and the internet. That is the reality. However, there are certain types of work that cannot be done remotely.

“For instance, in restaurants — chefs. That cannot be done online. How can one cook from home, if customers are dining in restaurants?” he told reporters at the Kota Samarahan Ramah Mesra Aidilfitri event here.

The event was hosted by Kota Samarahan MP Datuk Rubiah Wang and attended by Muara Tuang assemblyman Datuk Idris Buang, among other guests.

Abdul Karim, who is also Asajaya assemblyman, said the WFH concept is not new as it was previously implemented during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period.

However, he stressed the need for discipline once the policy comes into effect.

“When they are instructed to work from home, that should not be the time to take their family on holiday, go for picnics and so on. That is wrong. It reflects a lack of personal discipline.

“There must be mechanisms to ensure that even when a person is at home, their attendance is accounted for,” he said.

Last month, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the federal government is fine-tuning the implementation of flexible working arrangements, including WFH, for civil servants to cushion the impact of global oil supply disruptions arising from the West Asia crisis.

Abdul Karim also welcomed Anwar’s suggestion that Sabah and Sarawak would continue to receive subsidised diesel at RM2.15 per litre, although the purchase quantity may be capped.

“In Sarawak, many people use pick-up vehicles such as Toyota Hilux and the like. For longhouse residents, if diesel prices are increased, this will also affect them,” he said.

He added that diesel prices in Sarawak remain relatively reasonable compared with neighbouring countries, where fuel prices are significantly higher.