M’sian govt orders office air-con temperatures turned up, staff may switch to short-sleeves to save energy

Malaysia’s government will raise air-conditioner temperatures across its offices as part of new cost-saving measures aimed at reducing national energy consumption.

The move follows a Cabinet decision and will apply to all government offices, not just a single agency, according to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), as reported by The Star.

Air-con temperatures to be adjusted across govt offices

MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the change comes under wider efforts to manage government electricity usage.

Speaking during a media engagement session with the Multi-Agency Task Force at MACC headquarters, he said:

“Following Cabinet instructions, the temperature of air-conditioners will be raised, and we may be allowed to wear more casual attire to the office as the temperature increases.”

He added: “We may be able to wear short-sleeved shirts and so on.”

Part of broader push to reduce energy consumption

Azam said the measure is part of a wider strategy to reduce government expenditure and manage national energy use more efficiently, The Star reported.

The decision comes as global supply chain disruptions linked to the war involving Iran have pushed up prices of coal and natural gas, both key fuels Malaysia imports for electricity generation.

Separately, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said federal ministries, agencies, statutory bodies and government-linked entities will begin implementing a work-from-home arrangement from Apr. 15 in another effort to save fuel.

Top image via SPRM/Facebook