A Commission II member of the Indonesian House of Representatives\nfrom the PKB faction, Eka Widodo, has criticised the phenomenon of\nnumerous regional heads requesting permission to perform umrah ahead of\nEid al-Fitr 1447 Hijri. He reminded regional heads to remain in their\nterritories, as the period before Eid is crucial for public service\ndelivery.<\/p>\n
\u201cRegional heads must have public sensitivity. The period before Eid\nal-Fitr is the most crucial moment in community service. Regional\nleaders should be present among the people, not abandon their\nterritories,\u201d said Eka Widodo, known as Edo, in a written statement on\nTuesday (9 March).<\/p>\n
Edo stated that regional heads must ensure that the mudik (homecoming\nmigration) proceeds smoothly. According to him, the mudik tradition is\nIndonesia\u2019s largest social event, involving millions of people returning\nto their villages. This situation creates various problems that require\ndirect leadership in the regions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe mudik brings many issues, ranging from transportation, security,\nfood price stability, to health services. All of this requires attention\nand direct presence of regional heads,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Edo acknowledged that umrah is indeed a noble religious practice.\nHowever, for public officials, the responsibilities of office cannot be\nset aside. He also reminded regional heads that they are bound by an\noath of office that requires them to prioritise the public interest, as\nregulated in Law Number 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Government.<\/p>\n
Edo considered the mudik period as a strategic opportunity for\nregional heads to absorb community aspirations, particularly from\nmigrant workers returning to their areas of origin.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a golden opportunity for regional heads to hear directly\nfrom migrants about their experiences, why they chose to work in cities,\nand what needs to be improved in the regions so that people can prosper\nin their hometowns,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Additionally, he noted that Indonesia is currently in the rainy\nseason with a fairly high risk of natural disasters, such as floods and\nlandslides. In such situations, the presence of regional heads in their\nterritories is extremely important.<\/p>\n
Edo referenced past public experience when residents were shocked by\ncases of regional heads performing umrah whilst their residents faced\ndisasters, such as the case of Mirwan MS, regent of South Aceh.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat case became an important lesson about how important a leader\u2019s\nsensitivity to the situation of their people is,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Interior Minister Tito Karnavian had previously instructed all\nregional heads and deputy regional heads to remain alert and stay in\ntheir respective territories during a period of one week before until\none week after Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijri.<\/p>\n
The instruction was conveyed through Circular Letter (SE) of the\nInterior Minister No.\u00a0000.2.3\/1171\/SJ dated 8 March 2026 concerning\nDeferral of Travel Abroad during the Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijri Holiday. The\ncircular was addressed to all governors, regents and mayors. In the\ncircular, regional heads and deputy regional heads are requested to\ndefer international travel from 14 to 28 March 2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cExcept for activities that are very essential and whose\nimplementation is a directive from the President or for medical\ntreatment purposes,\u201d said Tito in his statement in Jakarta on Monday (9\nMarch).<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pkb-legislator-criticises-multiple-regional-heads-for-umrah-permission-ahead-of-eid-1773132824", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }