DPR Member Urges Government to Implement WFH Selectively
Member of Commission II of the House of Representatives (DPR), Ujang Bey, has urged the government to be cautious in implementing the work-from-home (WFH) policy for civil servants (ASN) and the private sector. This policy must be carefully designed to achieve genuine energy savings without disrupting performance.
The NasDem politician appreciated the government’s move to promote WFH as an effort to curb fuel oil (BBM) consumption. However, he assessed that its implementation should be based on data and clear planning.
“How many ASN and private sector workers will undergo WFH, and for how long? Which agencies and ministries will be affected, and which private companies? From the answers to those questions, the government will determine how much BBM can be saved,” Ujang said in a written statement on Monday, 23 March 2026.
He also highlighted the potential impact of this policy on the private sector. Ujang reminded that private sector workers have performance targets to meet, so WFH implementation must not disrupt company stability. “This means it must be well-coordinated with the affected private companies,” he said.
The government plans to start implementing the WFH policy after Eid as part of an energy-saving strategy amid rising global oil prices. Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto stated that the policy will apply to ASN and is recommended for the private sector, with exceptions for public services.
“The WFH (rules) will be detailed. But after Eid, we will implement it. For ASN and a recommendation for the private sector. But not for those working in public service sectors,” Airlangga said after Eid al-Fitr prayers in Jakarta on Saturday, 21 March 2026, as quoted from Antara.
Airlangga added that the WFH scheme is planned to apply only one day per week as an initial step to reduce energy consumption without significantly disrupting economic activities.
Ujang Bey urged the government to map out ASN who directly interact with public services. He reminded that the WFH policy should not reduce the quality of services to the public. “The effectiveness of the WFH programme can be seen from how well the design is planned and whether its implementation aligns with the plan and targets.”
In a separate opportunity, Golkar Party Faction Chairman in the DPR, Muhammad Sarmuji, proposed that the one-day-per-week WFH policy be implemented selectively. He assessed that the benefits of BBM savings must be balanced against potential risks of declining productivity and public services.
“There are indeed benefits, namely savings on BBM, especially subsidised ones. But there is also potential for declining productivity and services. We propose it be done selectively,” Sarmuji said on Monday, 23 March 2026.
This member of Commission VI of the DPR also reminded of the importance of technical arrangements to control employee mobility, both for ASN and the private sector. Sarmuji assessed that the WFH policy could be counterproductive if workers still travel and use BBM as usual.