JAKARTA, INDONESIA — On Thursday (22 Jun), President Joko Widodo signed and issued Presidential Decree No. 16 of 2023, amending Presidential Decree No. 24 of 2022 concerning Public Holidays for Civil Servants in 2023.
The decree was issued after the government decided to extend the Idul Adha holiday to three days.
This decision was made to enhance public mobility, stimulate economic and tourism growth, and provide an opportunity for children to spend more time with their parents during the school holiday of Idul Adha.
“Yes, the Idul Adha holiday must indeed be longer to boost economic growth, especially in local areas, particularly in the tourism sector. Therefore, after careful consideration, we have made this decision,” President Joko Widodo stated after visiting the Parungpung Market in Bogor, West Java, on Wednesday (21 Jun).
Echoing President Jokowi’s statement, Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reforms, Abdullah Azwar Anas, in a press release published on the State Secretariat website, affirmed, “This joint leave policy will also promote economic activities across various regions, strengthen the national economic recovery after COVID-19, and increase the circulation of money within the community.”
The joint decision was co-signed by three ministers: Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reforms Abdullah Azwar Anas, and Minister of Manpower Ida Fauziyah.
According to the joint decision, the Idul Adha holiday for the year 1444 Hijriah will fall on Thursday, 29 June 2023.
Additionally, the government has designated Wednesday, 28 June and 30 June as public holidays. Therefore, the total holiday period for the Idul Adha celebration will be five days, from Wednesday to Sunday.
Regarding the joint leave policy, Minister of Manpower Ida Fauziyah clarified that it only applies to civil servants (ASN), while for the private sector, it is optional and subject to agreement between companies and employees.
Ida further explained that employees who take leave during the joint holiday period will have their annual leave entitlement reduced. However, those who continue to work during the joint holiday period will not have their annual leave entitlement reduced and must receive regular wages as on normal working days.
The public’s reaction, particularly among individuals working in the private sector, to the statement by the Minister of Manpower has been diverse.
The majority expressed disappointment via various social media posts and links related to the matter.
They believe that such decisions should be limited to government institutions to avoid social jealousy.
However, some responded positively, stating that it has always been the case and that not all holidays can be designated as joint leave since some private sectors provide services or require 24-hour attention that cannot be abandoned.
