On shifting holidays<\/p>\n
From Media Indonesia<\/p>\n
In response to Media Indonesia's editorial on Sept. 24, 2003
\non holiday shifts, we would like to explain the background and
\nsubstance of the government policy.<\/p>\n
The joint decree (of three ministers) on this matter --
\neffective for the calendar year 2003 -- was issued after a long
\nprocess of consultations with religious leaders and inter-
\ndepartmental meetings. Public holidays are divided into religious
\nholidays for commemorative ceremonies, religious holidays for
\nworship or rituals, and national holidays.<\/p>\n
For the purpose of encouraging family or social gatherings and
\nincreasing national productivity on working days, holidays are to
\nbe arranged as follows:
\n1. Religious holidays for worship\/rituals and national holidays
\nremain unchanged.
\n2. Religious holidays for commemorative ceremonies are to be
\nshifted in the following way: Those falling on Tuesday or
\nWednesday are advanced to Monday, and those falling on Thursday
\nare to be postponed until Friday.
\n3. National holidays falling on working days are shifted to the
\nday before or after non-working days.<\/p>\n
For 2003, religious holidays for worship which remain
\nunchanged, are Idul Adha\/Day of Sacrifice (Feb. 12), Hindu Day of
\nSilence (April 2), Buddha's Day of Enlightenment (May 16), Idul
\nFitri (Nov. 25 and Nov. 26) and Christmas (Dec. 25).<\/p>\n
National days, also unchanged, are New Year's Day (Jan. 1) and
\nNational Independence Day (Aug. 17). But as the independence day
\nfalls on Sunday this year, the holiday is shifted to August 18.
\nReligious holidays for commemoration can be advanced or put off
\nunless they fall on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.<\/p>\n
Additional holidays are also fixed for 2003, namely two extra
\ndays for Idul Fitri, Nov. 25 and Nov.28; an extra day for Idul
\nAdha to become Feb. 12 and Feb.13 and an extra day for Christmas
\nDay to become Dec. 25 and Dec. 26.<\/p>\n
The arrangement of public holidays for schools are left to the
\nschool management, as long as the fixed number of hours for study
\nis not reduced.<\/p>\n
A public opinion poll has shown that 58.4 percent of
\nrespondents described the holiday shifts as beneficial to
\nfamilies and 56.4 percent considered the policies convenient for
\nsocial gatherings.<\/p>\n
ROSDIAWAN
\nOffice of Coordinating Minister
\nfor Public Welfare
\nJakarta<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/on-shifting-holidays-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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