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THE Government’s recent decision to implement a work-from-home (WFH) policy for civil servants beginning next Wednesday is designed to preserve productivity while maintaining the smooth functioning of the national economy, according to Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir.
He stressed that, unlike the remote working measures introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic to curb infections, the current policy is focused on sustaining output and ensuring that public sector responsibilities continue uninterrupted.
“That is why working from home is not meant to hinder economic activity, but to ensure that productivity is not disrupted and that their commitment (civil servants) is truly reflected in carrying out their duties from their homes or respective locations,” he said in an interview with Bernama.
Akmal was speaking during Bernama TV’s Ruang Bicara programme titled “Mendepani Krisis Tenaga: Menjamin Kestabilan Ekonomi” (“Addressing the Energy Crisis: Ensuring Economic Stability”).
Addressing public concerns over potential panic buying, he said the government had already taken early measures to assess supply levels following the activation of the National Economic Action Council (MTEN) in early March.
Particular attention, he noted, has been given to ensuring adequate supplies of essential food items.
“That is why the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has assured that stocks of essential goods are, God willing, sufficient for a reasonable period.”
He added that rice stocks alone are projected to last up to nine months, while the availability of other goods depends on ongoing production levels.
“For example, rice supply is expected to last up to nine months, while for other items, it will certainly depend on production,” he said.
Akmal added that fresh produce such as vegetables requires continuous production, while supplies of protein sources including chicken and eggs are being closely monitored alongside the availability of animal feed.
He called on the public to refrain from panic buying, warning that such behaviour could destabilise supply chains.
The minister said the government had taken proactive steps from the outset to ensure sufficient supplies, but stressed that public confidence was crucial in preventing disruptions.
“From the outset, we have acted proactively to ensure that supplies are sufficient… but the caveat is that we must collectively maintain confidence and avoid any hoarding or panic buying that could cause shocks to existing stock levels,” he said.
Earlier in the programme, he acknowledged the difficulty of communicating economic policies effectively to the public, particularly in a complex and rapidly evolving environment.
He said the government is working to improve clarity and consistency in its messaging, including through the use of short-form videos to better engage the public while maintaining informative content.
“… for this to be understood, it needs to be explained step by step and may take time… my expectation is that I will need about two months to go into the field, explain, build confidence and so on until decisions can be made with reasonable support,” he said. - April 10, 2026
