JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) issued a directive so that all state officials do not hold joint iftar events during Ramadan 1444 Hijri. The directive is contained in a letter with a letter letter from the Secretary of the Cabinet of the Republic of Indonesia Number R 38/Seskab/DKK/03/2023 dated March 21, 2023.
Member of Commission IX of the DPR, Saleh Partaonan Daulay, said President Jokowi's directives needed to be interpreted positively. He stated that what was conveyed should not be misinterpreted.
"What is clear is that the ban on bukber (to open together) should not be misinterpreted, not prohibit religious activities," Salah said as quoted by Antara, Thursday, March 23.
According to the politician from the National Mandate Party (PAN), the reason presented in the directive is because Indonesia is currently still in a transition period from the pandemic to endemic. Globally, he continued, the status of handling COVID-19 is still a pandemic.
"WHO has not changed until now. Of course, Indonesia must follow the WHO rules, including being aware of the various possibilities of spreading the dangerous virus," he said.
Therefore, caution is still needed because it is still open to the possibility of the spread of the COVID-19 virus in places where crowds are being crowded.
"Besides, we are also still hearing new cases. There are still many exposed patients being treated. This indicates that Indonesia still needs to be careful and vigilant," he added.
In this context, Saleh assessed that the prohibition of breaking the fast together for state officials and ASN does not mean reducing practice and worship activities. In fact, according to him, the budget for joint open activities can be converted.
"It can be made to help the underprivileged. Activities like this have a value that is definitely not inferior to the bukber," he said.
In addition to providing compensation for the underprivileged, according to him, there are many other activities that can be done as a practice in the month of Ramadan. For example, travel, recitation, and other activities that are not in the form of crowds or crowds.
"After all, tarawih, tadarus, qiyamul lail, and other Ramadan activities are still allowed," said the former General Chairperson of PP Pemuda Muhammadiyah.
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