Central Java Provincial Government to Issue Circular Urging Civil Servants to Walk or Cycle to Work Every Friday

The Secretary of Central Java Province, Sumarno, stated that a circular would be issued containing recommendations for civil servants within the provincial government to walk or cycle to the office every Friday. This is to support the government’s efforts in energy conservation. Sumarno revealed that his office has already issued a circular on the technical implementation of working from home (WFH) for civil servants and energy efficiency in the provincial government’s work environment. “We will follow up with a new circular regarding Fridays. This Friday initiative has two bases: this circular and the Minister of Youth and Sports’ circular that Friday is a day for sports, health, and exercise,” said Sumarno when interviewed at the Central Java Provincial Legislative Council office on Monday (6/4/2026). “We encourage that on this Friday, for civil servants who are not WFH, who are working from the office (WFO), their journey to the office should be part of exercise activities, like cycling, walking, or if capable, running. That is what we will issue later,” added Sumarno. Regarding the distribution of WFH implementation for civil servants, Sumarno said it is left to the respective regional apparatus organisations (OPD). “Because the characteristics are different. So we leave it to the regional apparatus colleagues. We emphasise that the head of the OPD is fully responsible for the implementation of the WFH policy. Because with this concept, issues of activities, public services, and performance will not decrease,” he stated. The Central Java Provincial Secretariat has issued Circular Number B/000.8.3/3/2026/2026 on the Transformation of Civil Servant Work Culture in the Central Java Provincial Government environment on 1 April 2026. This circular follows the Minister of Home Affairs’ Circular Number 800.1.5/3349/SJ on the Transformation of Civil Servant Work Culture, issued on 31 March 2026. There are 10 main points in the Central Java Provincial Secretariat’s circular. In general, the circular regulates the technical implementation of energy efficiency in the civil servants’ work environment, including the application of working from home (WFH). As decided by the central government, the WFH policy is applied every Friday. In the Central Java Provincial Secretariat’s circular, WFH is excluded for: high-level leadership positions at madya and pratama levels; service and operational support units at the Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services Agency; regional hospitals; health laboratories; public health centres; educational units; regional revenue service units; and other work units or service units that provide direct services to the public. “Violations of the WFH provisions by civil servants will be subject to administrative sanctions according to applicable regulations,” states point four in the Central Java Provincial Secretariat’s circular on the Transformation of Civil Servant Work Culture in the Central Java Provincial Government environment. The Central Java Provincial Secretariat’s circular also recommends changes in transportation modes for civil servants. “Walking, prioritised for employees with a distance between residence and office of less than or equal to approximately 1.5 kilometres; b. Using non-fossil fuel transportation such as bicycles and electric bicycles, prioritised for civil servants with a distance between residence and office of less than 10 kilometres and relatively flat terrain,” states points a and b in the ninth main point of the Central Java Provincial Secretariat’s circular. In addition, civil servants are encouraged to use public transportation if possible in terms of accessibility, distance, and travel time. Other options include using shared vehicles or ride-sharing for commuting to work. Other main points in the Central Java Provincial Secretariat’s circular regulate the technical efficiency of electricity and water use in the civil servants’ office environment. Furthermore, civil servants are encouraged to optimise information and communication technology as a means of coordination and reporting on task implementation. The Central Java Provincial Secretary, Sumarno, stated that the substance of the circular issued by his office on 1 April 2026 is almost the same as the Minister of Home Affairs’ circular. “We very much hope that this will have an impact on the efficiency of carbon fuel use,” said Sumarno during an interview at the Central Java Provincial Legislative Council office on Monday (6/4/2026).