Southeast Asia’s largest economy to allow employees to work from home amid energy crisis

Indonesia, the largest economy in Southeast Asia, is introducing a series of energy-saving measures across key sectors to strengthen energy resilience and safeguard economic stability amid global uncertainties.

The plan includes allowing employees to work from home one day per week in a five-day working schedule, helping cut fuel use from daily commuting. Authorities are currently finalizing technical preparations for the scheme.

“The details of the policy will be discussed, but we will implement it after Idul Fitri,” Coordinating Economy Minister Airlangga Hartarto said on Saturday at the Tax Directorate General office in Jakarta, as reported by Kompas.com.

Hartarto noted that the policy would initially apply to civil servants but could be expanded to include the private sector and local administrations.

Indonesian Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said on March 19 that President Prabowo Subianto has instructed ministers to implement energy efficiency policies following a meeting at the Presidential Palace.

At the meeting, the President reviewed reports from ministries on efforts to ensure national energy security, particularly in the context of potential disruptions to global energy supplies and prices linked to the conflict in the Middle East. He also discussed strategic steps to promote energy conservation across various sectors.

According to the Presidential Secretariat, the measures aim to maintain a sustainable energy supply while supporting economic stability. Close coordination among ministries is expected to ensure policies are effectively implemented, well-targeted, and do not disrupt public economic activities.

The Indonesian government is closely monitoring global developments, including oil price fluctuations and geopolitical tensions, and will continue adjusting its measures to ensure energy security and economic resilience in the near future.