Malaysia Orders Remote Work to Tackle Energy Crisis

Malaysia will require government employees to work from home starting April 15 as part of emergency measures to reduce fuel consumption and ease the impact of the global energy crisis.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the decision applies to staff across ministries, government agencies, and state-linked companies, describing it as a step to support citizens and ensure more sustainable national energy use.

The policy is aimed at cutting fuel demand while helping stabilize energy supplies amid rising global oil prices. Anwar also encouraged private sector companies to adopt flexible or remote work arrangements where possible.

The government is currently spending around $993 million per month to absorb higher fuel costs, a burden Anwar said is not sustainable over the long term. He stressed that Malaysia is working to strengthen energy security by diversifying its oil and gas import sources.

The move comes as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key corridor for roughly 20 million barrels of oil per day, have pushed global energy prices higher and intensified economic pressures worldwide.