PUTRAJAYA: The new operating hours at government departments and agencies nationwide, which have been extended from 7.30am to 6pm, will provide flexibility to public servants.
In a circular, Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Zainal Rahim Seman said the longer operating hours, which took effect on Jan 1, would also enhance public service delivery.
“This is in line with the public service transformation and our continuous efforts to improve service delivery, as well as to give flexible working hours to the civil servants.
“The new working hours for federal government offices are from 7.30am to 6pm effective Jan 1,” he said in the circular.
With the extension, civil servants nationwide will work on four shifts: 7.30am to 4.30pm, 8am to 5pm, 8.30am to 5.30pm and 9am to 6pm.
Government departments and agencies in Perlis, Penang, Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Melaka, Pahang, Sabah, Sarawak, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya will be open on weekdays from 7.30am to 6pm.
Their break time remains unchanged from 1pm to 2pm (Monday to Thursday) for all states and 12.15pm to 2.45pm (Friday) in Peninsular Malaysia.
For Sabah and Labuan, their break time on Friday is from 11.30am to 2pm, while in Sarawak, their break time on Friday is from 11.45am to 2.15pm.
In Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Johor, operating hours are from 7.30am to 6pm from Sunday to Wednesday and 7.30am to 4.30pm on Thursday.
The break time for these four states is from 1pm to 2pm.
In the 2018 Budget, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had announced the introduction of new working hours from 9am to 6pm to provide more flexibility to public servants.