On WFH Implementation, Tito Karnavian: Await Presidential Directive
Interior Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian has stated that plans for implementing a one-day work from home (WFH) policy are awaiting approval from President Prabowo Subianto. Tito said that the ranks of the Merah Putih Cabinet have held a cross-ministerial coordination meeting.
The meeting discussed energy-saving policy plans to anticipate an energy crisis due to the war in the West Asia region. Ministers attending the meeting included Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, and State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi.
“Once there is direction from the President, it will then be officially announced,” Tito said at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, 25 March 2026.
The WFH plan for civil servants and the private sector emerged in mid-March 2026. President Prabowo, in a cabinet session at the State Palace, encouraged fuel-saving measures and considered the WFH policy as a step to anticipate the impact of the global crisis. It is known that the surge in world oil prices occurred after the war between the United States and Israel versus Iran erupted at the end of February.
Tito also does not object if civil servants in the Interior Ministry environment up to regional governments are required to work from home one day a week. He believes the policy will not disrupt government operations. The reason is that the WFH system implementation is not the first time. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Tito exemplified, civil servants in the Interior Ministry carried out work from the office only 25 percent.
The same applies to civil servants in regional governments. Nevertheless, Tito said that several regional heads might need more detailed explanations regarding essential matters that must not be impacted by the WFH implementation.
“No problem. Yes, regional governments also have a lot of experience,” said the former National Police Chief. “But perhaps because there are new regional heads in the regions, I will give them explanations. Essential matters such as transportation, then those serving, emergency, hospitals, cleanliness, must continue to run.”
The implementation of WFH as a solution for energy savings due to rising oil prices and tight supplies has drawn attention. Deputy Chairman of Commission II of the House of Representatives, Dede Yusuf Macan Effendi, asked the government to pay attention to public services that will be impacted before implementing the WFH policy for civil servants and the private sector.
According to him, many private companies are currently implementing WFH with measurable output standards. He assessed that WFH could efficiently reduce electricity costs, water, AC, and transportation. However, this Democrat Party politician also reminded the government to continue supervision so that WFH is not used as an excuse for civil servants to travel freely. Because it would be futile if WFH instead makes people travel more often instead of saving fuel.
Meanwhile, member of Commission II of the House of Representatives, Ahmad Doli Kurnia Tandjung, reminded that this policy must be prepared with thorough planning so that efficiency goals are achieved without disrupting government functions. “The point is to face the potential economic crisis,” said the Golkar Party politician on Tuesday, 24 March 2026.