Deputy Interior Minister: WFH to Save Energy, Not as a National Holiday

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Deputy Interior Minister (Wamendagri) Bima Arya Sugiarto has warned that the work-from-home (WFH) policy aims to save energy, rather than becoming a national holiday.

Bima stated that the WFH policy should not encourage civil servants (ASN) to leave their homes or travel.

“So that this WFH aligns with its target of saving energy, and does not instead turn into a national holiday,” said Bima when met at the Office of the Coordinating Ministry for Food, Jakarta, on Tuesday (31/3/2026).

Currently, the Ministry of Home Affairs is still awaiting instructions and a decision from President Prabowo Subianto through Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto regarding the WFH policy.

According to him, the government has several options for WFH days, such as midweek or weekends.

“But of course, we will follow the decision from Mr President and the Coordinating Minister for the Economy,” Bima said.

Ministries under Prabowo’s leadership have studied the appropriate days to implement WFH. “Later, if I’m not mistaken, today it will be decided by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy,” said Bima.

The politician from the National Mandate Party (PAN) stated that Interior Minister Tito Karnavian will issue a circular and monitor the implementation of WFH.

ASN who violate the rules will be dealt with in accordance with applicable civil service regulations.

Previously, President Prabowo Subianto asked his ministerial ranks to study energy consumption saving policies as anticipation of the impact of the Israel and United States war against Iran.

Prabowo mentioned that the Pakistani government has implemented such saving policies through WFH for civil servants and the private sector, up to restrictions on the use of official vehicles.

“We are grateful that we are safe, but we must still strive to reduce our fuel consumption,” said Prabowo when leading the Full Cabinet Meeting at the State Palace, Friday (13/3/2026).

That situation has caused world oil prices to soar because exports from Gulf countries as major fuel producers are hampered.

The war is expanding because the US is using military bases in Gulf countries.

Recently, a military group from Yemen, the Houthis, declared they are joining the war in support of Iran.