Home Affairs Minister Reveals Option for One Day of WFH per Week Discussed Across Ministries

Home Affairs Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian has revealed that the option of Work From Home (WFH) for one day per week is strengthening in the latest inter-ministerial meeting. However, he declined to specify the implementation day, as it awaits the final decision from President Prabowo Subianto.

“What I heard is one day during the week. But which day will be chosen, let the decision be made later; the results of yesterday’s meeting will be reported to the president,” he stated in Jakarta on Wednesday (25/3).

He also hinted that previous meetings had shown a tendency towards selecting the same day nationally, but the decision remains with the president.

Furthermore, Tito mentioned that the WFH proposal for one day per week will not disrupt government operations. He emphasised that the scheme is not new, as the government has experience from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“No problem for me. I’m confident there won’t be issues. Because this isn’t the first experience. During the COVID-19 era, WFH was implemented, and at times only 25% were in the office. The Home Affairs Ministry operated at 25% WFO, and it still ran. So, it’s not something new; we have experience,” said Tito.

According to him, preparedness in both central and regional governments is relatively established. However, he reminded that essential public service sectors must continue to operate normally despite the WFH policy.

“Essential things like transportation, emergency services, hospitals, and cleanliness must still run,” he stated.

Nevertheless, Tito stressed that the final decision has not been announced. He noted that the policy discussions were held in a lengthy inter-ministerial meeting, but the government agreed to deliver the results through a single channel.

“Let it be one voice. Therefore, yesterday’s meeting was led by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, accompanied by the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture. So, let the Coordinating Minister for the Economy make the announcement,” he said.

He added that the meeting results will still be reported to the president before being officially announced to the public.

“After receiving directions from the President, it will then be officially announced. Just be patient,” Tito remarked.