Work-from-home for eligible public service officers in Malaysia from 15 April: FAQs clarified

• Eligible officers must meet at least two criteria, including serving in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur or Putrajaya, Selangor, or any state capital, with a one-way commute of more than 8km.
• Officers in critical defence, security, immigration, health, emergency and education (with active schooling sessions) sectors are excluded.
• The days on which work-from-home will be applicable will depend on which days each state's weekend falls on.

In lieu of the ongoing Middle East conflict, Malaysia's Public Service Department (JPA) will allow public service organisations to implement work-from-home (bekerja dari rumah, or BDR) arrangements in stages effective 15 April 2026.

The implementation of this new arrangement – named the West Asia Conflict BDR – is based on the Human Resource Services Circular (PPSM) Ceraian SR.4.1.2: Work from Home Policy with the following special conditions:

Officers are required to meet two of the following conditions: 

1. Officers serving in:
   1. Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Putrajaya and Selangor, and/or
   2. All state capitals.
2. The one-way travel distance from office to home exceeds 8km.

Sectors excluded from the BDR are as follows: 

For sectors and services other than the ones stated above, the head of department shall implement BDR as directed by the Government. However, in ensuring that service delivery is not affected, the head of department shall determine essential services and arrange BDR days for those services accordingly according to operational suitability.

BDR day

• For states where the weekend falls on a Sunday, BDR will be implemented from Tuesday to Thursday (full day). BDR will not be allowed on Mondays and Fridays.
• For states where the weekend falls on a Friday (Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu), BDR will be implemented from Monday to Wednesday (full day). BDR will not be allowed on Sundays and Thursdays.

BDR location

• Officers are only allowed to carry out their work in their homes that have been registered in the Human Resources Information Management System (HRMIS).

Electronic Duty Operation Monitoring System (SPOT-Me)

• Officers are required to use SPOT-Me, which allows recording of officer attendance through geolocation functions on mobile devices from home.
• Officers must check in to SPOT-Me every one hour and the head of department must monitor the officer's whereabouts.
• Any enquiries regarding SPOT-Me can be referred to the Application Development Division, National Digital Department through the following officers:

• The head of department must identify the output for each officer who is working from home, and must periodically review and confirm the work targets and outputs that have been set.

FAQs

With the BDR initiative to take effect soon, here are some frequently asked questions that the JPA has compiled:

• Are contract (Contract for Service) or MySTEP employees eligible for BDR?
  • Subject to the head of department's update.
• Are officers who are eligible for BDR required to do BDR for three days a week (Tuesday to Thursday / Monday to Wednesday)?
  • Officers who are eligible for BDR are required to do so three days a week (Tuesday to Thursday / Monday - Wednesday).
  • However, for essential services that are eligible for BDR, the head of department must determine the BDR arrangements for their officers.
• Why is the West Asia Conflict BDR implemented in stages?
  • To see the effectiveness and need for improvement from time to time in addressing issues that will arise as a result of the conflicts that occur in West Asia.
• Does the existing BDR policy still apply?
  • The existing BDR policy under Resolution SR.4.1.2 is still applicable.
    
• What is the significance of setting an 8km travel distance?
• This ensures that the implementation has a significant impact on fuel savings. Officers with longer distances contribute to higher fuel consumption, therefore reducing movement for this group has a more significant saving impact.
• Why are only certain places chosen for BDR?
  • The implementation of this BDR is in stages. Initially, the current area was chosen because it is a major administrative centre, has high traffic density, and involves a large number of daily movements. However, the Government may make other determinations from time to time.
• Can BDR officers from the village or any location options other than houses registered in HRMIS??
  • Not allowed.
• If the residential address and correspondence address in HRMIS are different, which is the address of the authorised BDR office?
  • The permitted address for this West Asia Conflict BDR is the residential address recorded in HRMIS, which is the same address used for claims purposes under official duty under WP Treasury Circular 1.4.
• Are officers eligible for BDR if they serve in Jeli, Kelantan, and have their home in Kota Bahru, Kelantan?
  • Officers are not eligible for BDR because they do not serve in the places specified in paragraph 4.1 of the Circular Letter on the Implementation of Working From Home for Public Services Following the West Asian Conflict reference: JPA. (S).800-1/1/12 Vol.2 (7), dated 2 April 2026.
  • Are officers eligible for BDR if they serve in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan but live in the Federal Territory of Putrajaya?
  • Same response as above.
• How was the travel distance of 8km (one-way) calculated?
  • The calculation of the 8km travel distance is based on the typical journey used by officers from home to the office.
• Officer A serves in Putrajaya. The usual journey from home to the officer's office is 8.1km, while the officer's return journey from the office to home via usual travel is 7.4km. Is the officer eligible for BDR?
  • Officer A is eligible for BDR by taking into account the longest distance normally traveled, either from office to home or home to office, which is 8.1km.
• Are diplomatic administrative officers, assistant administrative officers, and administrative assistants (clerical and operations) working in the Malaysian Prisons Department eligible for BDR?
  • Services other than paragraph 4.2 and subject to paragraph 4.1 under the Circular Letter on the Implementation of Working From Home for Public Services Following the West Asian Conflict reference: JPA. (S).800-1/1/12 Vol.2 (7) dated 2 April 2026 are eligible for BDR and subject to the decision made by the head of department.
• Are medical officers serving in departments of the Ministry of Health Malaysia included in the BDR exempted sectors?
  • Yes, medical officers serving in departments at the Ministry of Health are included in the BDR exempted sectors.
• Are officers involved in management and administration in the security and defense, health and education sectors given permission for BDR?
  • Officers involved in management and administration in the security and defence, health and education sectors are permitted to use BDR and its implementation is subject to the decision of the Head of Department.
• Can BDR be implemented on Monday or Friday for states where the weekend falls on a Sunday?
  • No. BDR can only be implemented from Tuesday to Thursday for states where the weekend falls on a Sunday.
• Is it possible if the officer instructed by the BDR chooses to come to the office as usual?
  • No. Officers must BDR as per Government instructions unless there is a need to physically attend the office as directed by the Head of Department.
• Is BDR allowed for officers in the BKP group of the Ministry/Department since these officers do not have any work output?
  • The head of department must provide appropriate outputs for the officers involved.
• Is overtime work allowed during BDR?
  • Officers who are BDR West Asia Conflict, are not eligible to claim overtime based on the provisions under SR 4.1.2.
• Are ministries/departments allowed to use operational monitoring systems other than SPOT-Me?
  • For the initial stage of the implementation of the West Asia Conflict BDR, the Government has agreed that the monitoring method used will be through SPOT-Me for the purpose of uniform coordination and control for all ministries/departments and agencies involved.
• What if internet access is weak while BDR officers are at home?
  • Officers must inform the head of department/supervisor and take alternative steps to carry out the relevant duties.
• JDN officer contact numbers other than those specified in the Circular Letter:
  • Nurul Ayuni Juhari
    • ayuni@jdn.gov.my
    • 03-90785995
    • ext. 623 0192802721
  • Marliana Ramli
    • marliana@jdn.gov.my
    • 03-90785995
    • ext 639 019-2169344 
  • Ruzita Jamaludin
    • ruzita@jdn.gov.my
    • 03-90785995
    • ext 645 0123699242

• Do officers involved in the West Asia Conflict BDR need to fill out the BDR Application/Instruction Form as in Section SR. 4.1.2?
  • No. This West Asian Conflict BDR does not require filling out an application form because its implementation is subject to the provisions of the Circular Letter on the Implementation of Working From Home for Public Services Following the West Asian Conflict, reference: JPA.(S).800-1/1/12 Vol.2 (7) dated 2 April 2026.

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