Published in the International Journal of Management and Business Intelligence (IJBMI), Volume 4, Issue 3, 2026, the research examines how the Indonesian government communicated the WFH policy amid a global energy crisis triggered by geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
The researchers found that although the policy itself was supported by legitimate economic considerations, its communication was characterized by inconsistent messaging, fragmented institutional responsibilities, and limited public engagement. These shortcomings contributed to public confusion and weakened trust in government communication.
A Policy Introduced Amid a Global Oil Crisis
The WFH policy emerged against the backdrop of a major international energy disruption. In late February 2026, military operations involving the United States and Israel against Iran led to severe instability in global oil markets. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil transportation, pushed crude oil prices above US$91 per barrel.
As a country that still relies heavily on imported oil, Indonesia faced significant fiscal pressure. The rupiah weakened to around Rp17,000 per US dollar, while government projections suggested rising energy subsidy costs.
In response, the government announced a mandatory Friday WFH arrangement for ASN employees starting on April 1, 2026. Officials argued that reducing commuting activities would lower national fuel consumption and potentially save trillions of rupiah in government spending.
However, according to the study, the controversy surrounding the policy was not primarily about its economic rationale but rather about how it was communicated to the public.
Contradictory Messages Created Public Confusion
One of the study’s most significant findings concerns inconsistencies in government messaging.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto publicly stated that the WFH policy was intended to reduce fuel consumption and mitigate the economic impact of global geopolitical tensions. At nearly the same time, Minister of State Secretariat Prasetyo Hadi argued that the policy was not driven by fuel supply concerns.
These conflicting explanations left many citizens uncertain about the policy’s actual purpose.
According to experts interviewed in the study, effective government communication requires a consistent narrative across institutions. When different senior officials provide different justifications for the same policy, public confidence in government decision-making can be undermined.
The researchers noted that such inconsistencies represent a serious ethical challenge in public communication, particularly during periods of crisis.
Limited Role of the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs
The study also highlights the limited involvement of the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi), which formally holds responsibility for coordinating government communication.
Instead, the announcement was largely led by the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs. At the same time, the Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform (PANRB) and the Ministry of Home Affairs also played roles in explaining aspects of the policy.
As a result, no single institution emerged as the primary authoritative source of information.
The researchers describe this situation as a form of institutional fragmentation that continues to challenge Indonesia’s public communication system.
According to the study, effective crisis communication requires a clearly designated lead communicator capable of ensuring message consistency and public accountability.
Digital Communication Channels Were Underutilized
Although Indonesia has a growing digital communication infrastructure, the study found that available channels were not fully utilized during the WFH policy announcement.
The policy was mainly communicated through a virtual press conference, official press releases, and social media posts from various government institutions.
Several shortcomings were identified:
- No structured mechanism was provided for public feedback or inquiries.
- The government’s LAPOR! platform was not designated as an official channel for policy-related questions.
- The Indonesia.go.id government portal did not immediately publish a comprehensive policy explanation.
- State broadcasters TVRI and RRI primarily relayed official statements without offering dedicated public information programs.
- No formal system was established to evaluate public understanding of the policy.
According to the researchers, these weaknesses indicate that government communication remained largely one-directional rather than encouraging meaningful dialogue with citizens.
Public Response Dominated by Skepticism
Media monitoring and social media analysis conducted as part of the study revealed strong public engagement following the announcement.
Within days, discussions surrounding the policy generated millions of online impressions. However, much of the public reaction was characterized by skepticism and uncertainty.
Key concerns included:
- Doubts about whether WFH would actually reduce fuel consumption.
- Concerns that Friday WFH could simply create longer weekends.
- Questions about the readiness of digital infrastructure for remote government work.
- Perceptions of unfairness toward informal workers who would not receive similar benefits.
The study also notes that criticism from economists, public policy experts, and prominent public figures received substantial media attention but was not promptly addressed through official government communication channels.
As a result, public discussions were increasingly shaped by speculation and competing interpretations rather than authoritative clarification.
Researchers Call for Communication Governance Reform
Based on their findings, the authors recommend comprehensive reforms to Indonesia’s government communication system.
One of their primary recommendations is the establishment of a Government Communication Command Center under the leadership of Komdigi. Such an institution would coordinate communication strategies across ministries and ensure consistency in major policy announcements.
The researchers also propose:
- A mandatory communication ethics checklist before major policy announcements.
- Stronger use of the LAPOR! platform as an official public feedback mechanism.
- Enhanced roles for TVRI, RRI, and other state media organizations in providing public education and policy explanations.
- Faster deployment of integrated information through Indonesia.go.id.
According to Yohannes Don Bosco Doho and his colleagues, ethical government communication is not simply about delivering information quickly. It must also ensure accuracy, consistency, transparency, accessibility, and meaningful public engagement.
The study concludes that the effectiveness of a public policy depends not only on the quality of the policy itself but also on how clearly and ethically it is communicated to citizens.
Author Profiles
Yohannes Don Bosco Doho, M.I.Kom. is a lecturer and researcher at the LSPR Institute of Communication and Business. His research focuses on government communication, public communication ethics, and strategic communication.
Marcella Claudia Yune Senduk, M.I.Kom. is an academic and researcher at LSPR Institute of Communication and Business specializing in digital communication, new media, and organizational communication.
Ria Fajarwati, M.I.Kom. is a lecturer and researcher at LSPR Institute of Communication and Business whose expertise includes strategic communication, public relations, and communication governance.
Research Source
Doho, Yohannes Don Bosco; Senduk, Marcella Claudia Yune; & Fajarwati, Ria. (2026). Government Communication Ethics in the Digital Era: A Case Study of the Work-From-Home Policy Announcement for State Civil Apparatus (ASN) in Indonesia. International Journal of Management and Business Intelligence (IJBMI), Vol. 4 No. 3, pp. 365–380.
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