SHAH ALAM, April 6 (Bernama) — The Selangor state government has announced preliminary measures, including a work-from-home (WFH) policy for civil servants, to address the impact of the West Asian conflict on energy supply and rising prices of goods.
Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the state government has agreed to implement the WFH policy from April 15, applicable from Tuesday to Thursday each week, to lower fuel consumption, reduce traffic congestion, and strengthen public servants’ productivity.
He said the policy will be reviewed monthly to assess its necessity and effectiveness. The private sector is encouraged to adopt similar measures where appropriate, and the state government is prepared to support the adaptation of digital technology.
“The state government will also halt official overseas travel for all departments, except for matters related to the promotion of investment and tourism from abroad to Selangor.
“This is to ensure the local economy, supporting industries, and employment opportunities for the people of Selangor continue. At the state government level, every department must coordinate efforts and programmes and operate in crisis mode,” he said in a statement today.
Amirudin added that Selangor will review the 2026 State Budget, prioritising the cost of living, aid for affected citizens, support for industries, and opportunities for a faster energy transition.
He added that a Selangor Energy Crisis Special Task Force will be formed, comprising experts from the socio-economic, industrial, energy, food commodity, banking, and academic sectors, to ensure comprehensive measures are taken.
The task force will include former Bank Negara Malaysia governor Tan Sri Muhammad Ibrahim as chairman, director of the Malaysian Institute of Inclusive Development and Advancement, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (MINDA-UKM), Tan Sri Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali, and Maybank Islamic Berhad chief executive officer Datuk Mohamed Rafique Merican.
“This task force will propose immediate measures to reduce the impact on the people and draft an action plan for up to a year should this conflict persist.
“The state government will announce further steps to address supply issues and their effect on prices. The first phase of mitigation for Selangor residents will be introduced within two weeks,” he said.
Amirudin also called for solidarity among Selangor residents in facing challenges from the West Asian conflict, particularly its impact on energy supplies.
“At this moment, the war crisis closing the Strait of Hormuz has affected, among others, the supply of energy sources vital for transport, fertilisers and urea critical for food production, as well as chemicals and helium which are key materials in hospitals and semiconductor manufacturing,” he added.
— BERNAMA