Government Mandates WFH for Civil Servants and Regulates Official Vehicles
Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto announced the government package policy under President Prabowo Subianto, namely the “eight points of national work culture transformation”. The policy responds to global dynamics deemed to affect supply chains and energy.
“It needs to be emphasised to the public that the national economy remains stable with strong fundamentals,” said Airlangga during a press conference held via Zoom on Tuesday evening, 31 March 2026.
In the policy, civil servants (ASN) are required to work from home or WFH every Friday, effective from 1 April 2026. The technical arrangements for ASN WFH will be outlined through circulars from the Minister of PAN-RB and the Minister of Home Affairs. Local governments are also urged to increase the days and scope of roads for car-free day implementations, adjusted to each region’s conditions.
In addition to ASN WFH, Airlangga stated that the government is limiting the use of official vehicles to 50%, except for operational needs and electric vehicles. ASN are encouraged to use public transport. Domestic official travel is cut by 50% and international by 70%.
The government, he said, urges the private sector to implement similar work patterns through circulars from the Minister of Manpower. However, this is adjusted to the characteristics of each business, including energy savings in the workplace.
Several sectors are exempted from the WFH policy, namely public services such as health, security, cleanliness, as well as strategic sectors like industry, energy, water, basic commodities, food and beverages. Then trade, transportation, logistics, and finance that continue to work from the office or in the field.
For primary and secondary education, teaching and learning activities continue face-to-face for five days a week. Prestigious sports activities and extracurriculars are also not restricted. Higher education from the fourth semester upwards will follow arrangements through relevant ministry circulars.
Airlangga stated that the WFH policy has the potential to save fuel compensation in the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN) by Rp 6.2 trillion. He also estimated that public fuel expenditure savings could reach Rp 59 trillion.
On the state expenditure side, the government is refocusing ministry and agency budgets from positions for official travel, meetings, non-operational expenses, and ceremonial activities to more priority expenditures. The potential budget reallocation is in the range of Rp 121.2 trillion to Rp 130.2 trillion, including for disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction in Sumatra.
The government will implement a B50 biodiesel mix starting 1 July 2026. This policy is claimed to reduce fossil fuel consumption by 4 million kilolitres per year, with an estimated biodiesel subsidy saving of Rp 48 trillion. For fuel distribution, purchases will be regulated through MyPertamina barcode scanning with a limit of 50 litres per vehicle, except for public vehicles.
In addition, the government is promoting the optimisation of the free nutritious meal programme by providing fresh food five days a week, with exceptions for dormitories, 3T areas, and regions with high stunting rates. Airlangga mentioned that the potential savings from this policy reach Rp 20 trillion.
The policy will be evaluated after two months of implementation. The government states that these steps are aimed at promoting energy efficiency, expenditure savings, and a shift to more digital-based work patterns.