Despite Work Flexibility Advisory, South Jakarta Traffic Remains Congested This Morning
The government has issued an advisory to the public through a Circular Letter from the Minister of State Secretary regarding work flexibility today. Despite this, traffic on a number of roads in South Jakarta remains congested.
Monitoring by detikcom at the location on Tuesday (18/8/2026) at 07.30 WIB showed congestion already visible on Jalan Pasar Minggu towards Pancoran. Queues of vehicles stretched from near the former Volvo Building to the TMP Kalibata intersection.
The congestion was made worse by an excavation project. Traffic was crawling, while dust from the excavation project caused eye irritation.
The next congestion point was on Jalan Gatot Subroto towards Slipi. Queues of vehicles had already built up around Pancoran LRT Station.
Congestion also extended towards Jalan Kapten Tendean. In addition, traffic was heavy on the road towards Kuningan.
Further congestion was observed on Jalan Rasuna Said. Traffic was crawling around Kuningan LRT Station.
One of the causes of congestion there was the pick-up and drop-off point for online motorcycle taxi (ojol) passengers. After passing the station, traffic appeared to flow more freely.
Work Flexibility
As previously reported, the government issued an advisory to give the public the opportunity to celebrate and reflect on independence during the 81st anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia. The advisory is contained in a Circular Letter from the Minister of State Secretary.
In Circular Letter Number B-17/M/S/TU.00.03/08/2026, heads of government agencies, public institutions, and private companies are advised to provide flexibility and work arrangements for employees on 18 August 2026. So, what are the provisions?
In the circular letter, heads of government agencies, public institutions, and private companies are advised to provide flexibility and work arrangements for all employees in their respective environments on 18 August 2026. This advisory is issued to encourage the public to celebrate and reflect on independence in their own ways.
“To all heads of government agencies, public institutions, and private companies, please provide flexibility and work arrangements for all employees in their respective work environments on 18 August 2026,” reads the first point of the circular letter.
Implementation Adjusted to Organisational Conditions
The flexibility and work arrangements must still take into account the conditions of each organisation. The arrangements are adjusted to the workload and operational needs in force.
“The provision of flexibility and work arrangements should remain adjusted to the conditions, workload, and operational needs applicable in each organisation,” reads the second point of the circular letter.
With these provisions, the implementation of work flexibility on 18 August 2026 can be arranged according to the conditions of each agency, public institution, or company. Operational needs remain the primary consideration in its implementation.
Essential Public Services Must Continue to Operate
The circular letter also gives special attention to government agencies, public institutions, and private companies that provide direct services to the public. The sectors referred to include health, banking, telecommunications, energy, security, public order, transportation, and other essential services.
“Specifically for government agencies, public institutions, or private companies that function to provide direct services to the public, including but not limited to health services, banking, telecommunications, energy, security, public order, transportation, and other essential services, please always arrange employee assignments proportionally to ensure that services to the public continue to run optimally,” reads the third point of the circular letter.
This means that work arrangements must still consider the needs of public services. Employee assignments in direct service sectors are requested to be arranged proportionally so that service activities continue to run optimally.
The circular letter was issued as an advisory to provide space for the public to celebrate, reflect on, and give thanks for independence on 18 August 2026. Its implementation still takes into account productivity, conditions, workload, and operational needs of each organisation.
For agencies and companies that provide direct services to the public, employee assignments still need to be arranged proportionally. In this way, the opportunity to reflect on independence can still be provided without disrupting the continuity of public services.