The Story of the First Day of WFH in Jakarta

The work-from-home (WFH) policy for civil servants every Friday has been implemented today. Several ministries and agencies have adopted it, resulting in smoother traffic in Jakarta than usual.

The Traffic Directorate of Metro Jaya Police recorded smoother traffic conditions on several Jakarta roads today. Vehicle volumes have decreased significantly.

“Today, there is a quite significant difference in the volume of vehicles used by the public taking advantage of this WFH policy, as seen from traffic flow monitoring. As of around 09:20 WIB this morning, we have observed a substantial reduction in volume. Jakarta is smoother today,” said the Head of Traffic of Metro Jaya Police, Senior Commissioner Komarudin, when contacted on Friday (10/4/2026).

Komarudin noted that traffic flow on several roads that are usually congested in the morning is smoother. These include Jalan Jenderal Sudirman, Jalan Asia Afrika, and Jalan Gerbang Pemuda.

“On several roads like Sudirman from south to north, and north to south similarly. Then meeting other roads like Asia Afrika, Gerbang Pemuda, which usually have long queues on the Ladokgi overpass until this hour,” he explained.

Komarudin mentioned there are still some congestion points in Jakarta. He said the congestion occurs due to vehicle flow intersections at certain points.

“Currently, what we are monitoring on several roads, including from the west, Slipi to the east towards Semanggi. This is not more due to crossing factors,” he said.

“We know there is an off-ramp from the toll road exiting to Semanggi that crosses with, first, the busway lane, then also crosses with the arterial from Slipi towards Semanggi. Plus crossings with small roads from Benhil. Also including crossings from Semanggi to Sudirman, from Benhil towards Cawang,” he added.

Compiled by detikcom, here is the situation and stories from residents on the first day of WFH to reduce fuel use.

The KPK has implemented WFH for some employees. Several service units remain open directly.

“Today, the first Friday, the KPK begins implementing a combined work method for employees in the KPK environment, namely working from home (BDR) and working from the office (BDK),” said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to reporters on Friday.

KPK service units that continue to provide direct services include public information services (PIP), Library, Public Complaints, and LHKPN. For enforcement areas like witness examinations, they remain normal today.

“Witness examinations are still happening today,” he said.

The KPK also utilises several digital platforms, such as for certification services and gratuity reporting, optimised online through the application https://gol.kpk.go.id.

“In supporting this combined work method implementation, the KPK also optimises information technology and various digital platforms, including in disseminating information and public education,” he said.

Observations by detikcom at the offices of the Minister Secretary of State and State Secretariat, Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, on Friday (10/4), show the office atmosphere today is quiet. Some employees are still coming and going, but not as busy as Monday to Thursday.

The lobby of the State Secretariat office also appears empty. However, some employees are seen working at computers.

The lobby of the Minister Secretary of State office also appears empty. No employees are coming and going in that location. The lights in the Minister Secretary of State office lobby and public services office are off.

At the Minister Secretary of State and State Secretariat offices, several internal security officers or pamdal remain on guard. Vehicle traffic in the parking areas of the Minister Secretary of State and State Secretariat offices is also not as busy as other days.

Although WFH is implemented, worker movements towards offices in the Sudirman area, Central Jakarta, are still visible. Observations by detikcom at Sudirman Station today at 09:00 WIB show the station area is still crowded.

The Sudirman Station platform becomes crowded when trains from Manggarai or Tangerang arrive. Some KRL passengers even walk quickly to exit the station.

A worker named Ibrahim said his office, in the amusement park sector, has not yet implemented the WFH policy every Friday. According to him, his field requires a lot of on-site manpower.

“That’s it, I haven’t (WFH yet). If the work is in the field, it might be difficult,” said Ibrahim when met at Sudirman Station.

Nevertheless, Ibrahim hopes the government’s WFH policy for civil servants and private workers can be applied. He said, for example, if he were working at a desk, it would be better to be allowed to WFH.

“Actually, it depends on the job, right? If mine involves a lot of data handling, it can be flexible, I can do it from home, that’s what I want. But sometimes I’m also required to go to the field,” he said.

Another worker, Zico (37), said there has been no news of the WFH policy at his office up to today. Zico said work in the financial services sector is not easy to implement WFH.

“For me, I haven’t seen it yet, but I don’t know going forward. But I haven’t seen it being implemented in financial services. Because that kind of sector is critical, right? That’s why during COVID, some sectors were exceptions,” said Zico.

He doesn’t mind if his sector doesn’t implement WFH. According to him, since choosing that career, he knows the risks and consequences.

“Yes, we work according to the current workplace. These days, we just have to be more adaptive,” he said.