Jakarta. The government is weighing a possible shift to remote work or even a four-day workweek to curb fuel consumption as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East threaten global oil supply.

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said the policy has not been formally planned yet, unlike in the Philippines, but authorities are reviewing various options to reduce Indonesia’s reliance on fossil fuels and improve energy efficiency.

“We are conducting exercises and reviewing all possible alternatives that could benefit the country while encouraging more efficient fuel consumption,” Bahlil said at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday.

Several countries have taken drastic steps to manage surging global fuel prices following escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. The Philippines is among them.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos recently ordered government agencies to shift to a four-day workweek as part of an energy-saving drive. The policy also requires offices to cut electricity and fuel use by 10%–20%, suspend physical study tours and team-building activities, and move more meetings online.

Bahlil also urged Indonesians not to panic-buy fuel amid the Middle East tensions, assuring that national fuel reserves remain adequate for the next 23 days.

He emphasized that the figure does not signal a supply crisis linked to the geopolitical situation, but rather reflects Indonesia’s limited domestic energy storage capacity. To strengthen energy security, the government plans to build storage facilities capable of holding up to three months’ worth of fuel reserves.

Indonesia has also adjusted its crude oil import strategy, shifting purchases away from the Middle East to suppliers in the United States and several other countries in response to global market volatility.

“As I reported a few days ago, we will convert part of our crude oil imports from the Middle East to the United States and several other countries such as Nigeria, Brazil, Australia, and others,” Bahlil said.

At the same time, the government is accelerating the transition to renewable energy, particularly through the development of solar power plants with a total planned capacity of up to 100 gigawatts.

The expansion is expected to reduce Indonesia’s dependence on fossil fuels while supporting the government’s broader push to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.

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