Batam says it is ready to follow central government efficiency measures

Batam is preparing to align with Jakarta’s proposed energy-saving policies, with local officials signaling readiness to adopt flexible work arrangements for civil servants and possible online learning for schools.

Batam Signals Readiness
The Batam city administration says it is ready to follow the central government’s planned policies on Work From Home, Work From Anywhere, and possible online schooling, although it is still waiting for official technical guidelines. Batam Mayor Amsakar Achmad said on March 30 that the city was aware of several policy directions now being prepared in Jakarta, all tied to a broader effort to improve efficiency during a period of global uncertainty.

Policy Linked to Global Pressure
Amsakar said the proposed measures are closely connected to efforts to cut spending and save energy as international conditions remain unstable. He pointed to global pressures ranging from war to broader economic uncertainty, saying such developments are influencing the central government’s push for efficiency. In this context, flexible work arrangements are being presented not just as an administrative option but as part of a wider national response to external risks.

Focus on Saving Energy
According to Amsakar, the central government wants public institutions, including regional administrations, to reduce the use of electricity, fuel, and gas. Civil servants are expected to support this by adjusting work patterns and reducing operational costs. He said one practical way to achieve that is through WFH and WFA schemes, which can reduce commuting and lower energy consumption in government offices.

Online Schooling Also Under Consideration
The same efficiency concept may also be extended to the education sector. Amsakar said there is a possibility that schools could adopt online learning as part of the broader energy-saving strategy. While no formal decision has yet been announced, the statement shows that the government is considering measures that go beyond office work and may affect students, teachers, and families as well.

Batam Has Already Tested a Limited Trial
Batam has already carried out a small-scale test of flexible work. Amsakar revealed that the city administration had previously tried a WFA arrangement for three days, from Wednesday to Friday last week, before a joint civil servant assembly. He stressed that future implementation will depend entirely on the technical rules issued by the central government, including how supervision and evaluation will be handled at the regional level.

Batam’s response shows how quickly local governments are starting to adapt to possible new efficiency policies from Jakarta. For Indonesians, the issue matters because it could reshape how public services, schools, and government offices operate during a time of economic and energy pressure. For Singaporeans, especially those watching Batam closely as a neighboring city with strong cross-border ties, the policy direction offers an early signal of how Indonesia may adjust work, education, and energy use in response to global instability.

Sources: Batampos (2026) , RRI (2026)

Keywords: Batam WFH Policy, Batam WFA Policy, Amsakar Achmad, ASN Efficiency, Online Schooling, Energy Saving, Central Government Policy