Deputy Interior Minister: WFH as a Form of Efficiency and New State Governance
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Interior Minister (Wamendagri) Bima Arya Sugiarto views the implementation of the work-from-home (WFH) policy for civil servants (ASN) as part of efforts to achieve efficiency and a new form of state governance.
He explained that the policy is directed towards creating a bureaucracy that is more effective, efficient, and oriented towards real benefits for the public.
“The principle of efficiency is not just about avoiding dependence on international fuel supplies, but also involves a new work culture transformation, a new work ethos, with everyone getting accustomed to it and heading in that direction,” Bima said in his statement in Jakarta on Saturday.
Bima conveyed this after directly inspecting the implementation of WFH at Bekasi City Hall in West Java on Friday (10/4).
Bima also appreciated the readiness of the Bekasi City Government (Pemkot) system, which recorded a WFH participation rate of around 40 percent of the total ASN in Bekasi City.
He urged Pemkot Bekasi to immediately calculate the amount of budget efficiency, particularly from savings in fuel, water, and electricity usage.
Furthermore, he emphasised that this efficiency measure is a manifestation of the government’s commitment to maintaining fuel price stability so as not to burden the public, especially lower and middle-income groups.
He also assured that the state budget (APBN) condition and national fuel availability remain secure, with import dependency affected by Hormuz Strait dynamics being relatively low.
“For the President and the current government, prioritising citizens, especially the lower and middle classes, is very important to maintain,” he stated.
In response to potential disruptions to public services, Bima assured that essential services continue to operate optimally. Several vital sectors such as the environmental agency, water resources, fire department, and Satpol PP remain fully operational.
Meanwhile, services at sub-districts, wards, and licensing continue with a maximum restriction of 50 percent of staff working in the office.
To maintain ASN discipline during WFH, the government is implementing a strict monitoring system through digital performance reporting and location tracking. Sanctions will be imposed on ASN who do not carry out tasks according to regulations or officials who are negligent in supervision.
In addition, Bima appreciated the Bekasi Mayor’s policy encouraging ASN to use public transport and bicycles.
Looking ahead, he hopes for the expansion of public transport based on electric vehicles to further support national energy efficiency more significantly.
“Actually, if this electric vehicle scheme also focuses on public transport, the impact will be far more significant, and that is what the President actually started initiating yesterday,” he said.