Take Note! Government Shifts Holidays And No Holidays Together

Indonesian Minister of Religion (Menag), Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (Photo: kemenag.go.id)

JAKARTA - Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas emphasized that the national holiday which coincided with the Muslim holiday was not abolished but only shifted. The holidays in question are the Hijri New Year and the celebration of the Prophet's Birthday 2021.

"There is a shift in national holidays, a shift that is not abolished. First, the holiday commemorating the Hijri New Year on Tuesday (10 August) was shifted to Wednesday (11 August). Same with the Prophet's Birthday holiday, it falls on Tuesday (19 October) Wednesday (20 October)," Yaqut said in an online press conference after a discussion meeting at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, Friday, June 18.

According to him, this decision is a form of attention given by the government to Muslims in the country. Because, even though the COVID-19 pandemic still occurs, religious holidays will still be held.

"This government understands the psychology or psychology of religious people in Indonesia, especially Muslims. So even though the COVID-19 pandemic is still everywhere, it hasn't completely disappeared, but holidays are still given as a form of government appreciation for religious people," he said.

Meanwhile, regarding the abolition of the Christmas holiday which falls on December 24, Yaqut said, this is part of a joint effort between the government and the community in suppressing the rate of transmission of COVID-19.

"Similarly, with the abolition of collective leave on December 24, I think this is in line with our desire to protect all Indonesian people from COVID-19. So this effort is in line with vaccinations and campaigning for health protocols," he said.

As previously reported, the government has decided to change two national holidays and abolish joint leave for the celebration of the 2021 Christmas Day.

This decision was taken in accordance with the direction of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) taking into account the pandemic is still happening and to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in the community.

"Mr. President has given directions for a review of the issue of public holidays and leave that has so far been included in the joint decree of the KemenPANRB, the Ministry of Manpower, and the Ministry of Religion," said Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy in a press conference broadcast online, Friday, June 18.

He explained that the two holidays that were changed were the Islamic New Year 1440 Hijri holiday which fell on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, changed to Wednesday, August 11, 2021.

The Prophet's Maulid Holiday on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 was changed to Wednesday, October 20, 2021. "The 2021 Christmas Day joint leave holiday on December 24, 2021 is abolished. Those are three points that we have decided together by the three Ministries," said Muhadjir.