JAKARTA (Bernama): Indonesia has agreed on five energy-saving measures, including flexible working arrangements and restrictions on official travel by civil servants under a broader policy planned to take effect from April.
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno said the measures were agreed during an online Technical Coordination Meeting on fuel-saving policy held on Tuesday, as a follow-up to a directive from President Prabowo Subianto, involving representatives from several ministries and agencies.
He said the policy targets key sectors such as education, healthcare and public services, aiming to improve energy efficiency while minimising disruption to public services and learning activities.
"The efficiency measures must be prepared in a measurable manner and based on data on energy consumption and mobility levels in each sector, so as not to cause excessive negative impacts on the public,” he said on Tuesday, according to ANTARA News Agency.
The meeting was also attended by representatives from the Primary and Secondary Education Ministry, Higher Education, Science and Technology Ministry, Religious Affairs Ministry, Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Ministry, Health Ministry, and Youth and Sports Ministry.
Pratikno said the five measures agreed during the meeting include strengthened use of digital platforms, energy-saving practices in office building operations, and adjustments to online and offline learning methods based on subject characteristics.
He said the measures were formulated based on data on energy consumption and mobility levels, taking into account lessons from mobility controls during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He stressed that the government would ensure the policy does not disrupt essential services, noting that practical-based learning activities will continue to be conducted face-to-face to maintain education quality.
Pratikno said the meeting also identified issues requiring further discussion, including possible adjustments to the distribution of the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG) if student attendance patterns change, as well as options for alternative financing schemes to support internet access if online learning is implemented.
He noted that coordination among ministries and agencies would be key to ensuring effective implementation while maintaining optimal public services.
He said the meeting outcomes would be compiled into a report to the President, outlining energy consumption in the human development and culture sector and recommending further energy-saving measures. -- Bernama
