Abdul Mu’ti links student travel habits to energy savings and cleaner cities

Indonesia is pushing everyday energy-saving habits into daily school life, with students now being encouraged to walk, cycle, or use public transport as the government responds to rising pressure on national energy resilience.

Everyday Habits as Energy Policy
Indonesia’s Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti has urged students to walk or cycle to school if they live nearby, saying the habit can support President Prabowo Subianto’s broader energy efficiency drive. Speaking on March 30, Mu’ti said cycling, which became more common during the COVID-19 period, is a positive routine worth reviving because it is healthier, more energy-efficient, and more environmentally friendly. He added that this approach should apply where the route to school is safe and comfortable.

Schools and Local Governments Asked to Do More
Mu’ti also encouraged schools to promote waste recycling so school waste can be processed into environmentally friendly energy sources. At the same time, he called on regional governments to improve public transportation, arguing that better mass transit would give students a safer and more practical way to get to school. He noted that many students currently rely on motorcycles because public transport access remains limited in many neighborhoods.

Policy Tied to Wider Energy Concerns
The minister’s remarks are tied to a wider government response to energy risks linked to conflict in the Middle East Gulf region. On March 19, President Prabowo discussed targeted energy-saving measures with ministers at the Merdeka Palace after receiving reports on how geopolitical tensions could affect global energy supply and prices. Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said the government was preparing strategic cross-sector steps to protect national energy resilience and keep the policy effective without disrupting economic activity.

A Practical Message for Students
What makes Mu’ti’s message notable is that it turns a national policy concern into a daily behavioral change for students and schools. Rather than focusing only on top-down fuel controls, the government is also encouraging households, local administrations, and education institutions to take part in reducing energy use and pollution. The emphasis on walking, cycling, recycling, and public transport suggests that schools may become part of Indonesia’s broader environmental and energy transition strategy.

Broader Impact Beyond the Classroom
The policy signal also reflects how education is being used to shape long-term public habits. If local governments improve transport access and schools support greener routines, students may not only cut fuel use but also adopt healthier and more sustainable lifestyles. That could help Indonesia manage immediate energy pressure while building a generation more aware of environmental responsibility and urban mobility challenges.

Indonesia’s call for students to walk, cycle, and rely more on public transport shows how energy resilience is becoming a whole-of-society issue rather than just a government or industry concern. For Indonesians, the push connects school life with national priorities on fuel savings, public health, and cleaner cities. For Singaporeans, it offers a familiar example of how transport behavior, infrastructure, and policy can work together in shaping more sustainable urban living across the region.

Sources: EN Antara (2026)

Keywords: Abdul Mu’ti, Indonesia Energy Efficiency, Student Cycling, School Transport, Prabowo Subianto, Public Transportation, Oil Crisis