MP Proposes WFH One Day Every Wednesday: Friday Could Lead to Tourism
A member of Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Ahmad Irawan, has proposed a policy on work from home (WFH) to save on fuel oil (BBM) consumption due to the Middle East conflict. Ahmad Irawan suggested that WFH be set for every Wednesday only.
Regarding the day for implementing WFH, it is the government’s authority to determine it. If WFH is carried out on Friday, that day has the potential to be used for tourism instead. The public could view it as a long holiday, Ahmad Irawan told reporters on Wednesday (25/3/2026).
This Golkar legislator assessed that WFH on Friday would potentially deviate from the objective. He is concerned that BBM savings would not be achieved because people might interpret WFH as a long holiday.
From the start, our intention was to save on BBM usage, but that goal might not be met, he explained.
He also explained the considerations for proposing WFH every Wednesday. Irawan noted a tendency that if WFH is on Monday, employees might extend their weekend break.
Meanwhile, for WFH on Thursday, he believes the public might take leave on Friday, making the holiday span even longer. According to him, the government needs to study considerations from all aspects.
Regarding the proposed day, WFH is most appropriate on Wednesday every week. The considerations are as follows: If on Monday, people tend to extend their weekend holiday. If on Thursday, people can apply for leave or holiday on Friday. So people could holiday on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, he said.
Ahmad Irawan stated that Wednesday is in the middle of the week, making it a difficult choice for extending holidays or leave. Thus, the performance produced by government employees would also be effective.
Determining Wednesday as the WFH day is the most feasible choice among other days. Because Wednesday is in the middle of the week, the likelihood of people extending holidays or leave is smaller, Irawan said.
Because applying for leave would take longer, unlike if WFH is done on Monday, Thursday, or Friday. If WFH is only one day and in the middle of the week, the assumption is that people remain at their respective homes to work. So the purpose of WFH can be achieved, he emphasised.
Nevertheless, he assessed that this WFH policy is well-intentioned for reducing energy consumption. He hopes that the WFH policy runs parallel with the wise provision of logistics and basic necessities to the public.
Although the savings step from the WFH policy is actually the simplest part, namely related to reducing citizens’ energy consumption from fuel stations, Irawan said.
That policy must run parallel with energy provision policies, logistics for citizens’ basic needs, business activities during WFH, public services, and other necessities that must be formulated prudently, relevantly, and able to help in difficult situations, he explained.
It is known that Interior Minister Tito Karnavian revealed that several coordinating ministers and technical ministers have agreed on implementing one work-from-home (WFH) day per week to save on BBM. Tito said the implementation of WFH is just awaiting a report to President Prabowo Subianto and an official announcement to the public.
We had a meeting yesterday, the meeting lasted almost 3 or 4 hours. Yes, but we agreed on one voice, meaning whoever conveys it, I don’t know who, (the meeting) at the Palace. Whether the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, or perhaps by the Cabinet Secretary (who will announce it). So, we only provide inputs, but I am not authorised to convey it to the public, Tito said after the PHTC update press conference at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, on Wednesday (25/3/2026).
Nevertheless, Tito refused to reveal the agreed day for WFH. Because, he said, the meeting results still need to be reported to the President first.