PKB Warns Against Implementing Weekly WFH Proposal on Fridays

The government is currently reviewing a work-from-home (WFH) policy to save fuel oil (BBM) consumption as a response to the tight oil supply caused by the war in the Middle East. Member of DPR RI Commission II, Muhammad Khozin, has reminded that careful consideration is needed in determining the chosen days and the areas where the policy can be applied. “The WFH policy scheme must align with the purpose and objectives of WFH. The number of days, choice of days, and the areas for the WFH policy must be calculated precisely to achieve the target of BBM usage efficiency without neglecting public service aspects for the community,” said Khozin to reporters on Wednesday (25/3/2026). This Deputy Head of PKB in DPR RI Commission II stated that the WFH policy could become a momentum for controlling air pollution and managing public transportation. He noted that this WFH policy differs from the implementation during Covid-19. “The current WFH policy plan differs from the WFH policy during Covid-19, which was accompanied by social distancing policies. This means that current public mobility is running normally as usual. Therefore, the number of days and choice of WFH days must be aimed at BBM usage efficiency,” he explained. Khozin warned that the proposal for WFH on Fridays could potentially increase mobility at the end of the week. He is concerned that choosing WFH on Fridays could turn it into a long holiday moment. “WFH on Fridays could potentially increase public mobility ahead of the weekend. WFH on Fridays has the potential to become a ‘long weekend’ because it is adjacent to the weekend,” said Khozin. He also reminded that the WFH policy must target the intended goals. He does not want the WFH determination to instead increase BBM usage and public mobility. “This means the purpose of WFH becomes futile because public mobility remains high,” he stated. Previously, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto said the policy could save 1/5 of daily BBM usage. “Therefore, there is savings in terms of what, mobility usage from petrol, the savings are quite significant, one-fifth, one-fifth of what we usually spend,” said Airlangga after a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, on Thursday (19/3). Following that, Finance Minister Purbaya proposed implementing WFH one day per week every Friday. The reason is that after Friday, it continues with Saturday and Sunday, which are usually holidays. “Friday plus Saturday-Sunday makes three days, that’s quite good for home activities, and tourism might also be slightly encouraged,” said Purbaya, quoted by detikFinance, after Eid al-Fitr prayer at Masjid Salahuddin, Directorate General of Taxation (DJP) Office of the Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu), Jakarta, on Saturday (21/3). The plan is for WFH to be implemented after the Eid al-Fitr holiday period, but the exact day is still under review. Purbaya added that after WFH is implemented, BBM consumption could be reduced by around 20%. “There’s a rough calculation, not me who calculated it. If roughly for one day, I forget, but one-fifth, around 20%,” he stated.