Will Fuel Prices Rise and Pertalite Quotas Be Limited? Here's the Answer

The government has officially implemented several policies to mitigate risks and anticipate global dynamics. These policies range from applying work-from-home (WFH) for civil servants every Friday, efficiency in official travel budgets, to encouraging the public to use fuel wisely.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto estimates that the WFH policy for civil servants every Friday could save the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN) up to Rp6.2 trillion. Meanwhile, the total potential savings on public fuel expenditure could reach Rp59 trillion.

“Potential savings from the Work from Home policy directly to the APBN is Rp6.2 trillion, in the form of fuel compensation savings,” said Airlangga during a press conference in Seoul, South Korea, on Tuesday (31/3).

Here is a list of important policies taken by the government:

WFH for Civil Servants Every Friday

The government is implementing a WFH work scheme for civil servants one day a week every Friday to achieve energy efficiency in the face of global conflicts.

“Implementation of WFH for civil servants in central and regional areas, one working day per week every Friday, regulated in a Circular from the Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform and a Circular from the Minister of Home Affairs,” said Airlangga.

However, at the same time, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian stated that there are several civil servant positions at the provincial and regency/city levels that are exempt from the WFH policy.

Quoting from his presentation, there are 11 civil servant positions at the provincial level exempt from the WFH policy. Two of them are High Leadership Positions of Madya and High Leadership Positions of Pratama.

Then, at the regency/city level, there are 12 civil servant positions exempt from the WFH policy. One of them is the sub-district head and village head.

Meanwhile, the WFH policy for the private sector will be further regulated by the Ministry of Manpower.

He explained that the implementation of WFH for the private sector still considers the characteristics and needs of each business sector.

“Regulation by the Minister of Manpower also covers the movement for energy efficiency in the workplace,” said Airlangga.

Efficiency in Official Travel for Civil Servants

The government is also limiting domestic official travel by up to 50 percent and international travel by up to 70 percent.

“Efficiency of domestic official travel up to 50 percent, and international up to 70 percent,” said Airlangga.

Airlangga stated that the government is also taking steps to manage state finances through prioritisation and refocusing of ministry and agency expenditures.

The budget reallocation is taken from less priority expenditures, one of which is official travel.

He mentioned that the budget is redirected to more productive expenditures that directly impact the public.

“Potential prioritisation and refocusing of ministry and agency budgets in the range of Rp121.2 trillion to Rp130.2 trillion,” he said.

Schools Remain In-Person, No Distance Learning

Unlike educational institutions, the government states that teaching and learning activities will continue normally without implementing online distance learning (PJJ).

“The education sector continues teaching and learning activities face-to-face, in-person normally at all levels of basic to secondary education five days a week,” said Airlangga during the press conference.

In addition, Airlangga mentioned that there are no restrictions on sports events or other extracurricular activities in schools.

Meanwhile, for higher education institutions, especially for students from the fourth semester upwards, Airlangga stated that lecture methods will adjust to the Circular from the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology.

Fuel Prices Not Rising on 1 April

Shifting to the energy sector, State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi assured that there will be no fuel price increase on Wednesday (1/4).

The government guarantees that the prices of Pertalite and Pertamax fuels will not rise. This is done amid the onslaught of global oil price increases due to attacks by the United States (US) and Israel on Iran.

“That is why Pertamina states that Pertamina will not adjust prices for either subsidised or non-subsidised fuel,” said Pras in his statement on Tuesday (31/3).

Pras stated that the national fuel stock in Indonesia is safe. He also asked the public to remain calm and not engage in panic buying.

Limit Pertalite Purchases to 50 Litres Per Day

Nevertheless, the government is limiting purchases of subsidised fuel, namely Pertalite and diesel, to 50 litres per vehicle per day starting Wednesday (1/4).

Airlangga stated that the step is taken to ensure fairer fuel distribution.

“To ensure fairer and more even fuel distribution, subsidised fuel purchases are made through the MyPertamina barcode with a reasonable limit of 50 litres per vehicle per day,” he said.

However, the limitation does not apply to public transport vehicles for people and goods.

On the same occasion, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia encouraged the public to buy fuel wisely. He stated that one private car is sufficient with 50 litres per day.

Bahlil mentioned that amid the surge in world oil prices, the government needs cooperation from the public. One of them, citizens can support by filling fuel wisely.

“In our view as a former angkot driver, it is reasonable and wise if filling a car one day with 50 litres. That already fills the tank full for one day. We will encourage that,” said Bahlil.