KUALA TERENGGANU: Members of the public have urged federal government departments to maximise productivity following the decision to extend their operating hours by half an hour.
Insurance consultant Lau Yew Wee said he hoped the new operating hours, which have been extended from 7.30am to 6pm, must ensure better service delivery for the people.
“However, the extended operating hours must be properly publicised so that the public can make full use of the extra time,” Lau told the New Straits Times.
Organic fertiliser supplier Soh Wee Beng said civil servants should be extra productive as they could now work on four shifts.
“This new policy will only be effective if civil servants are efficient in carrying out their duties during working hours.
“Otherwise, it will make very little difference if they choose to drag their feet or slack off at work,” said Soh.
Restoran Tanjung KTT operator Gunaa Sivanathan said the extended hours would give businessmen more time to deal with the various government departments.
“Unlike the usual 8am to 4pm, we now have ample to meet the officers face-to-face,” he said.
Food supplier Richard Lee said while he supported the move, he hoped civil servants showed more commitment in serving the people.
“If the staff skive off work, disappear for breakfast or coffee breaks, the public service counters will remain empty and this will result in longer queues,” said Lee.
In Seremban, Natalia Hawa Hussein, 35, who is attached with the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), said the new working hours will not only give more flexibility to civil servants but it can also motivate them to work more efficiently.
“We can now choose to work on shifts that are suitable to our needs. It gives more flexibility for us to focus on our job and families,” she said.
Suhana Shaarani, 32, an administrative assistant with the police said that the shift-based working hours is not new as it has been practised previously.
“We have implemented the system several months ago and for a start, I can say that it has helped a bit in managing our time efficiently to focus on other things after work. I just hope that the system can be improved over time.
“As for now, although we are allowed to go home early, but due to the availability of communication tools such as Whatsapp, work-related discussion can still take place even after working hours,” she said.
In Kota Baru, many female civil servants welcomed the move.
Faridah Hassan said it will allow her to spend more time with her two daughters and her husband.
“Before this, I work from 8am to 5pm, five days a week and will normally arrive home around 6.30pm and spent only three hours with my daughters before they go to bed.
“I hope with the latest move, I can be at home early and spend more time with my family," said the 32-year-old government servant from Kubang Kerian.
As for Noraziah Ahmad, 44, she said the four shifts would ease the burden of those who have been facing problems heading to work early.
“For instead, those who cannot commit to earlier working hours due to family matters can now opt for the later shifts.
“As for me, I prefer for working from 8am to 5pm as usual. The move also showed that the government is concerned of the people’s welfare," said the government servant from Kampung Bunut Payong.
The new shift will see federal departments and agencies in Perlis, Penang, Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Melaka, Pahang, Sabah, Sarawak and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya to be opened from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Those in Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Johor will open from 7.30am to 6pm from Sunday to Wednesday and 7.30am to 4.30pm on Thursday.
In a circular today, Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Zainal Rahim Seman said the new operating hours at government departments and agencies will be implemented nationwide.