Obeying Jokowi's Instructions, The Batam City Government's Bukber Plan With A Capital Of IDR 1.2 Billion Is Canceled

Illustration. Thousands of people fasting along Jalan Asia Afrika, Bandung, Saturday 2 June 2018. (ANTARA-M Agung Rajasa)

KEPRI - Batam City Government (Pemkot) Riau Islands (Kepri) canceled the agenda of breaking the fast together (bukber). The activity was originally scheduled to be held on April 1.

"The mayor has confirmed that the agenda of breaking together is canceled," said Batam City Regional Secretary Jefridin Hamid when contacted in Batam, Monday, March 27, as reported by Antara.

Jefridin Hamid said the cancellation of the bukber agenda was a follow-up to President Joko Widodo's directive regarding the prohibition of breaking the fast together for officials.

He added that the ban was an effort to maintain the transition from the pandemic to the COVID-19 endemic.

The Batam City Government has prepared a budget of IDR 1.2 billion for thebukber agenda at the house of the regional leadership.

In planning the estimated number of guests at the Batam Mayor's house, it reached 8 thousand people. Meanwhile, the estimated number of guests at the Batam Deputy Mayor's house reached 6 thousand people.

He explained that the estimated food cost per person for the Notch menu is calculated at IDR 110 thousand per person, which is in accordance with the set price unit (SSH) standard.

"In accordance with the standard unit price, that's the price. So that's why the budget reaches that much," he said.

Jefridin explained, for the time being the cancellation of the iftar jointly has been issued.

Regarding the budget that has been prepared, he explained that if it is not used, it will be returned to the regional treasury.

"It could be diverted, but not yet. Maybe in the budget for changes, it will be discussed again regarding the transfer of this iftar budget," he said.

Head of the Batam City Communication and Information Office, Azril Apriansyah, said that at the Batam City Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD) in 2023, the Batam City Government had budgeted the cost of breaking the fast together.

"The budget for the joint iftar activity has been set in the 2023 APBD before the direction from the President. On the basis of the circular, we cancel the implementation of breaking the fast together," said Azril.