Oil Prices Breach 100 US Dollars Per Barrel; Work From Anywhere Becomes Energy-Saving Option
JAKARTA — Surging global oil prices breaching 100 US dollars per barrel have prompted the government to pursue various energy conservation strategies. One option under review is the work from anywhere (WFA) policy to reduce fuel consumption.
Alfons Manibui, a member of Commission XII of Indonesia’s People’s Consultative Assembly from the Golkar Party faction, views the government’s initiative as a strategic response to global geopolitical pressures that could increase domestic energy consumption.
“We appreciate the strategic steps taken by the Energy and Mineral Resources Minister in examining various energy efficiency options, including the WFA discourse, as part of efforts to maintain national energy resilience amid global uncertainty,” Alfons stated on Tuesday (17 March 2026).
According to him, the measure demonstrates that the government is not only focused on strengthening energy supply but is also beginning to manage consumption more efficiently and measurably.
Bahlil Lahadalia, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister, stated that several measures are under consideration, including the potential for work from home (WFH) arrangements. “All possibilities can occur; what matters is that fuel conservation is important,” he said at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry in Jakarta on Tuesday (17 March 2026).
He explained that the rise in global oil prices is difficult to avoid given the escalation of conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran. Current crude oil prices have surpassed 100 US dollars per barrel, equivalent to approximately Rp1.6 million per barrel, far exceeding Indonesia’s 2026 state budget assumption of 70 US dollars per barrel or about Rp1.12 million per barrel.
Nevertheless, Bahlil assured that national energy supply remains secure. The government is also preparing additional liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supplies ahead of the religious holidays. “By the end of this month, additional LPG supplies will arrive, so it is relatively safe, and there will be no problems ahead of the holidays,” he said.
Shinta Kamdani, Chair of the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo), stated that many real sectors, such as manufacturing, trade, logistics, and field operations, still require direct worker presence. “If this discourse is implemented, it certainly cannot be applied uniformly across all sectors,” Shinta told Kompas.com on Monday (16 March 2026).
She believes certain sectors, such as information technology, are relatively more flexible and can adopt remote work arrangements. However, such policies should be left to individual companies. “So it can be adapted to the operational needs and sectoral characteristics of each company,” Shinta said.