Government Examining Work-From-Home Policy to Conserve Fuel, Says Bahlil
Jakarta — Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia has stated that the government is preparing measures to conserve fuel oils (BBM) amid global market dynamics, including examining the implementation of work-from-home (WFH) policies.
Initially, Bahlil noted that the availability of fuel, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and electricity for Indonesia remains under control, secure, and in compliance with minimum national stockpile standards. New LPG supplies are expected to arrive by the end of this month, whilst coal supplies to state-owned electricity company PT PLN (Persero) average 14-15 days of delivery.
Bahlil acknowledged that several measures are being considered to reduce fuel consumption. “We are examining, currently examining, whether we need WFH. However, in my view, all possibilities could occur, what is important is fuel conservation, which is also important. Beyond that, we conserve imports, which also reduces expenditure for all Indonesians,” Bahlil said when met at the ESDM office on Tuesday, 17 March 2026.
Bahlil noted a positive development regarding global oil demand through the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has reportedly shown some flexibility in opening and closing the strait transit. This could facilitate communication for non-Israeli and non-American vessels and nations, representing a positive development.
Earlier, during a Full Cabinet Meeting on Friday, 13 March 2026, President Prabowo directed that fuel conservation measures must be accelerated, as fuel prices influence food security and related sectors. He noted that global developments in Europe and the Middle East could impact Indonesia’s fuel prices.
“We face developments occurring globally in Europe and the Middle East, which will inevitably affect fuel prices. Fuel prices can also influence food prices. We have secured basic food security; on fuel, we already have plans which we will accelerate, but we must take proactive steps to reduce fuel consumption. We cannot assume we are secure regardless of what happens without making efforts to reduce consumption. Many countries have already taken such steps,” Prabowo said during the Full Cabinet Meeting at the State Palace on Friday, 13 March 2026.
Prabowo noted that many countries have implemented fuel conservation measures, citing Pakistan as an example. He presented slides showing Pakistan’s response to global oil price volatility, describing such measures as “critical measures”. Pakistan has implemented policies similar to those during the COVID-19 pandemic, with private and government offices requiring 50% of employees to work from home. Additionally, working hours have been reduced to four days per week.
“They have even reduced salaries for cabinet members and parliamentary representatives, with all such savings collected to assist the most vulnerable and marginal groups,” Prabowo explained.
Pakistan has also implemented policies restricting fuel availability and consumption across all ministries, requiring 60% of government vehicles not to be used daily. The country has also suspended all air-conditioning purchases, vehicle acquisitions, and furniture purchases from all government institutions indefinitely.
Such measures include reducing work-related visits and halting government budget allocations for celebrations. These policies have also been applied to all higher education institutions, which now operate online learning systems.
However, according to Prabowo, these represent examples that his administration can examine and adapt for domestic implementation.
“I believe we must endeavour to conserve; I am confident that within two to three years we will be very strong, but we must conserve consumption. Thus, we hope to ensure that our deficit does not increase. My aspiration, if possible, is that we have no deficit at all,” Prabowo concluded.