Prabowo urges fuel conservation and work-from-home policies amid Middle East crisis concerns
“We must take proactive measures, including conserving fuel consumption. We cannot assume that regardless of what happens, we are safe. Yes, we are grateful that we are safe, but we have made no effort to reduce our fuel consumption,” he said during a Plenary Cabinet Meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta on Friday.
He noted that developments in the global situation in Europe and the Middle East have the potential to impact fuel prices, and an increase in energy prices is expected to affect food prices.
According to Prabowo, while Indonesia has secured supplies of several basic food commodities and plans to accelerate energy sector initiatives, he emphasized that fuel savings remain necessary to address global uncertainty.
The president cited fuel-saving measures taken by other countries, such as Pakistan, as examples. These measures include implementing a work-from-home policy for up to 50 percent of government and private employees and reducing the workweek to four days.
Pakistan’s other cost-saving steps included reducing the salaries of cabinet and parliament members, limiting the use of official vehicles, and halting expenditures such as vehicle procurement and office furniture.
Other policies included suspending government-funded foreign visits and limiting budget use for ceremonial activities.
Prabowo stated that these examples could serve as study material for the government to determine necessary cost-saving policies.
“For example, if certain civil servants and officials do not need to go to the office, it could reduce traffic congestion and save money. We should also consider reducing the workweek, along with other savings measures,” he suggested.
The president further stated that energy savings are expected to help maintain the country’s fiscal position and prevent the budget deficit from increasing.
He noted that the government is targeting more balanced management of the State Budget. On that occasion, the president also drew attention to potential leaks and inefficiencies in budget management, including inappropriate administrative practices.
Closing his speech, Prabowo Subianto urged the government to remain vigilant against worst-case scenarios amid global uncertainty, including the possibility of prolonged conflict in the Middle East.
“Although we feel safe, we must not be careless. We should prepare for the worst-case scenario. We hope it will not happen, but many predictions suggest this could be a very long war,” he concluded.
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Translator: Fathur Rochman/Maria Cicilia, Resinta S