Home Affairs Deputy Minister Explains Civil Servant Work Flexibility on 18 August
Deputy Home Affairs Minister (Wamendagri) Bima Arya has explained the work flexibility for civil servants (ASN) on Tuesday (18/8) in connection with the commemoration of Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day.
“The State Secretariat has conveyed that all regions are asked to provide convenience if there are residents who wish to hold a people’s party. So the schedule is somewhat flexible,” Bima said at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Monday (17/8).
Nevertheless, Bima stressed that the flexibility for civil servants is not in the form of collective leave or a public holiday.
“So it is perhaps not collective leave or a holiday, but government offices and others are asked to provide convenience because we want to give residents who may not have held a people’s party today the opportunity to do so tomorrow, roughly like that,” he said.
As for private sector employees, Bima said the work flexibility is merely an appeal. Therefore, he said, there is no obligation for companies to implement work flexibility for their employees.
“It is just an appeal. Indeed, it means it is not mandatory, but company leaders and others, if they wish to hold a people’s party or 17th August activities, can still do so tomorrow, roughly like that,” Bima said.
Previously, Minister of State Secretary (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi appealed to government agencies, public institutions, and private companies to provide leeway or work flexibility to employees on 18 August 2026.
The appeal was set out in State Secretary circular number B-17/M/S/TU.00.03/08/2026 dated 14 August 2026.
In the circular, Prasetyo said that in order to enliven the commemoration of the 81st Anniversary of Indonesian Independence, the government continues to encourage the active involvement and participation of all components of society.
“To all leaders of government agencies, public institutions, and private companies, please provide leeway and work flexibility for all employees in their respective work environments on 18 August 2026,” the circular stated, as quoted on Sunday (16/8).
The second point of the circular explains that the provision of leeway and work flexibility should still be adjusted to the conditions, workload, and operational needs applicable in each organisation.
The government also asked that the policy continue to pay attention to public services.
“Especially for government agencies, public institutions, or private companies that function to provide direct services to the public, including but not limited to health services, banking, telecommunications, energy, security, public order, transportation, and other essential services, they should always arrange the assignment of their employees proportionally to ensure that public services continue to run optimally,” the circular stated.