Jakarta. The University of Indonesia (UI) has issued an official circular instructing that all academic and non-academic activities be carried out from home. The directive is addressed to the academic community at the Salemba Campus on Friday.

According to the official circular, this policy was taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and comfort of the academic community in light of developments that may pose security risks.

The circular, signed by UI Rector Heri Hermansyah, states that all lecturers, education staff, and students are advised not to be present on campus until the situation is declared completely safe.

This policy applies to all faculties and units located in Salemba, including the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Dentistry, as well as programs under the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SIL) and the School of Strategic and Global Studies (SKSG).

Further information regarding the continuation of academic activities will be announced through the university’s official communication channels. The “work from home” and “learn from home” policy underscores UI’s commitment to prioritizing the safety of its community members amid uncertain circumstances.

In addition to UI, a similar work-from-home (WFH) policy had already been issued earlier by the Secretariat General of the House of Representatives -- or DPR. The decision came in response to demonstrations in front of the DPR building on Thursday.

The move drew public attention, as it was deemed to disregard the aspirations expressed by the public during the labor protests.

Nasir Djamil, a member of Commission III of the DPR, considered the policy reasonable. “As far as I know, yes (it is reasonable),” he said when contacted on Thursday.

According to Nasir, the recommendation to implement WFH is not new. President Prabowo Subianto had previously mentioned the application of WFH in his state address before the People’s Consultative Assembly -- or MPR.