Govt may extend Idul Fitri, Christmas holidays

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A limited ministerial meeting on people's welfare affairs agreed on Friday to propose an extension of Idul Fitri and Christmas holidays to up to four days and three days respectively.

Currently people enjoy two days off at Idul Fitri and one day at Christmas.

Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla said after the meeting that the extension of the Idul Fitri and Christmas holidays was aimed at helping stimulate the dying tourist industry.

He said that the new move was also aimed at correcting the bad habit of public servants who often skipped office on working days between the two important holidays.

If approved by President Megawati Soekarnoputri, the extension of the Idul Fitri and Christmas holidays would be effective this year.

Kalla said he would soon meet the President for approval.

The ministerial meeting also proposed that all public holidays should fall on Monday with the exception of religious holidays, Independence Day on Aug. 17 and New Year's Day.

He added that if a public holiday fell on Sunday, it would be shifted to Monday.

The plan to shift the holidays to Monday is not because of the tragedy in Bali, but is aimed at improving efficiency and productivity.

With the shifting of public holidays to Monday, he said, there would be at least seven long weekends next year. It is hoped that people would spend these holidays to visit tourist attractions.

According to Kalla, this trend would gradually improve the equal distribution of national income and curb unemployment.

Kalla emphasized that the plan would not affect the number of effective school days for school children.

He said that the minister of national education would reduce the annual year-end holiday for school children so that the 250- day classes for school children each year would not be affected.