Home Affairs Minister Urges Regional Leaders to Be On Standby During Eid al-Fitr
INFO TEMPO — The Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri), Muhammad Tito Karnavian, has instructed all regional heads and deputy regional heads to stay and remain on duty in their respective areas for one week before and one week after the Eid al-Fitr celebrations of 1447 AH. The policy is intended to ensure the smooth running of regional governance during the Lebaran holiday period.
The instruction appears in the Minister of Home Affairs Circular (SE) Number 000.2.3/1171/SJ dated 8 March 2026 concerning the postponement of travel abroad during the Eid al-Fitr holiday 1447 AH. The circular is addressed to all governors, regents and mayors in Indonesia.
In the circular, regional leaders are asked to postpone travel abroad from 14 to 28 March 2026. The Minister emphasised that exemptions will only be given for activities deemed highly essential.
‘The exemptions for highly essential activities whose execution is directed by the President or for medical treatment purposes,’ he said in a statement in Jakarta on Sunday, 8 March 2026.
The Mendagri explained that this policy aims to ensure regional governments remain focused on implementing various strategic agendas ahead of and during the Lebaran period. The direct presence of regional leaders in their jurisdictions is considered important to quickly respond to the needs of the public.
Some strategic steps requested of regional leaders include anticipating potential increases in security and safety risks during the Eid al-Fitr holiday and strengthening coordination with the Regional Leadership Forum (Forkopimda). Additionally, regional leaders are asked to increase preparedness to support the smooth flow of the Lebaran exodus.
Another measure is to monitor and control regional inflation and ensure readiness for the Eid al-Fitr 1447 AH celebrations in each region.
The minister stressed that this policy aims to ensure the regional heads remain in their respective areas so they can quickly respond to dynamics arising during the Lebaran momentum.
‘Regarding the recommendations for Official Travel Abroad (PDLN) or permission for foreign travel on the stated departure dates, these should be cancelled, postponed, or rescheduled,’ he explained.
The circular was also copied to the President of the Republic of Indonesia, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, the Minister Secretary of State, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Immigration and Prisons, and the Secretary to the Cabinet.