{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1634650,
        "msgid": "is-wfh-effective-in-saving-fuel-consumption-energy-economists-weigh-in-1774443080",
        "date": "2026-03-25 18:40:05",
        "title": "Is WFH Effective in Saving Fuel Consumption? Energy Economists Weigh In",
        "author": "",
        "source": "CNBC",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Energy",
        "summary": "The Indonesian government is considering implementing Work From Home (WFH) for one day a week for civil servants and encouraging private sector employees to do the same, aiming to reduce fuel consumption amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Energy economist Bhima Yudhistira argues that WFH could burden lower-class workers by reducing their income unless compensated with substantial social support, and instead recommends massive subsidies for public transport and accelerating electric vehicle adoption, drawing examples from Spain and Sweden. Fellow expert Pri Agung Rakhmanto emphasises that the policy's effectiveness depends on the crisis's urgency, urging the government to prioritise securing global oil and gas supplies through intensified diplomacy.",
        "content": "<p>Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The government is currently reviewing the\nimplementation of a Work From Home (WFH) system for one day per week.\nOne of its objectives is to save on fuel oil (BBM) consumption amid the\nescalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.<\/p>\n<p>The policy will apply to Civil Servants (ASN) and will also be\nrecommended for private sector employees.<\/p>\n<p>In response to the plan, Executive Director of the Center of Economic\nand Law Studies (CELIOS), Bhima Yudhistira, assesses that the WFH option\nhas downstream impacts that burden lower-class workers.<\/p>\n<p>According to him, the policy will only be effective if the government\nis willing to provide substantial social cushions as compensation for\ntheir lost income.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe answer is not WFH to save on BBM, but to allocate massive\nsubsidies for public transport. WFH can reduce productivity and impact\ninformal and labour-intensive businesses. Unless the government wants to\nprovide BSU compensation, Rp 3.5 million per month to workers for 6\nmonths,\u201d Bhima told CNBC Indonesia on Wednesday (25\/3\/2026).<\/p>\n<p>As an alternative, Bhima suggests that the Indonesian Government\nemulate the steps taken by European countries in facing oil price\nshocks. He cites Spain\u2019s policy in 2022, which made public transport\nfares free for regular users to mitigate the energy crisis effects from\nthe Ukraine conflict.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to public transport subsidies, Bhima also urges the\nacceleration of the electric vehicle electrification programme in\nparallel.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSweden is a country that is immune to oil volatility because 61% of\nthe share of EVs (electric vehicles) from all new cars,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Energy Observer from the ReforMiner Institute, Pri Agung\nRakhmanto, believes that implementing WFH cannot be viewed solely\nthrough the lens of effectiveness, but must be adjusted to the urgency\nand escalation of the crisis occurring.<\/p>\n<p>He is confident that the government is currently preparing various\ncontingency measures carefully.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe government is certainly reviewing and preparing anticipatory and\ncontingency steps and continuously monitoring developments (of the war)\nthat are happening. So, this is not a matter of effective or not\neffective, but looking at developments and needs,\u201d said Pri Agung.<\/p>\n<p>Pri emphasises that the government\u2019s primary priority at this time\nshould be focused on securing oil and gas supplies from abroad before a\nglobal supply crisis truly occurs.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think the government\u2019s focus now will also be on how to obtain and\nsecure oil and gas supplies from the global market first. Diplomacy with\ncountries that produce or have surplus oil and gas needs to be\nintensified. Including with Iran, which controls traffic in the Strait\nof Hormuz,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/is-wfh-effective-in-saving-fuel-consumption-energy-economists-weigh-in-1774443080",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}