Activities Continue Normally, Public Urged to Use Energy Wisely

Senior Expert from the Indonesian Government Communication Agency, Hariqo Wibawa Satria, stated that energy-saving policies are concentrated on efficiency in the government sector, rather than limiting public activities. “There is no reduction in public activities. What is being done is a reduction in official travel for officials by up to 50 percent for domestic trips and 70 percent for overseas trips, as well as the reduction of non-essential activities,” said Hariqo during the Indonesia Bicara Dialogue broadcast on TVRI on Wednesday (1/4/2026). Hariqo mentioned that the government is also encouraging the optimisation of flexible work patterns such as work from home (WFH), which he believes can suppress fuel oil (BBM) consumption while improving the quality of life for civil servants (ASN). This step is part of the cultural transformation towards a more frugal, healthy, and productive lifestyle. Hariqo added that the current national energy situation remains safe and under control. The government, he said, has a clear roadmap for maintaining energy stability, including ensuring stable BBM prices amid global fluctuations. “We should be grateful; compared to many other countries, Indonesia’s situation is relatively safe. However, we must still prepare by building a culture of frugal living and prioritising national interests,” said Hariqo. On the same occasion, Public Policy Expert from Trisakti University, Trubus Rahardiansyah, assessed this policy as a strategic step that is not only short-term oriented but can also serve as a blueprint for changing public behaviour in energy use. “All activities continue normally, but with more mature planning and based on priority scales. This is not just about saving, but an effort to build collective public awareness,” said Trubus. He also emphasised the importance of ongoing socialisation so that the public understands the objectives of the policy and actively participates in supporting energy efficiency. According to him, the experience during the COVID-19 pandemic showed that Indonesian society is capable of adapting to changes in activity patterns without significantly reducing productivity. “Economic productivity can still be maintained, as long as society is able to innovate and adapt to existing conditions,” said Trubus. Moving forward, Trubus hopes the government can prepare a clear roadmap so that this energy-saving policy can run sustainably, and be adjusted to the characteristics of each region, including strengthening infrastructure and digital literacy. Through this step, the Professor from Trisakti University is optimistic that Indonesia will not only be able to face potential global energy crises but also build a sustainable energy-saving culture foundation within society. Flexible work policies like WFH are considered effective in supporting energy efficiency. Analysis from various international institutions such as the International Energy Agency (IEA) shows that reducing daily mobility can suppress fuel oil consumption in the transportation sector by 10–30 percent.