Is 13 July a Public Holiday? Here's the Explanation

The date of 13 July has been officially designated as the Day of Belief in the One Almighty God. The designation was made by Minister of Culture Fadli Zon at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) in East Jakarta alongside the Supreme Council for Belief in the One Almighty God of Indonesia (MLKI) on Monday. Fadli Zon stated that this designation is a responsibility mandated by law and the constitution. The constitutional mandate is enshrined in Article 32, paragraph 1 of the 1945 Constitution, which states, ‘The state shall advance the national culture of Indonesia amidst the world’s civilisation by guaranteeing the freedom of society to preserve and develop its cultural values.’ He mentioned that Law Number 5 of 2017 concerning the Advancement of Culture also serves as one of the legal foundations for this decision. ‘The designation of the Day of Belief in the One Almighty God serves as a reminder to all of us that Indonesia is built on the foundation of diversity, tolerance, and respect for the dignity of every citizen,’ Fadli said. ‘The state is present to ensure that every citizen has an equal space to practice their beliefs, preserve their traditions, and pass on noble values to the next generation. This decree also represents the government’s commitment to fulfilling the rights of believers,’ he continued. The date of 13 July was chosen for its historical value, one of which relates to the session of the Investigating Committee for Preparatory Work for Indonesian Independence (BPUPKI). ‘The designation of 13 July is also a historical one, as it is linked to the grand meeting on 13 July 1945 when discussions about our constitution took place,’ he said. Following the designation, Fadli has not yet decided whether 13 July will become a national public holiday. ‘Although if offered, many would want it, the holiday might be facultative later if it is fought for. But we see this as an important step, especially as a form of recognition and a milestone proposed by the MLKI, which comprises a coalition of more than 100 organisations,’ he stated. Thus, there is no definitive decision yet on whether 13 July, coinciding with the Day of Belief in the One Almighty God, will be a public holiday. The Director General of Cultural Protection and Tradition, Restu Gunawan, said the designation process had been a long one. He noted that the MLKI had submitted the proposal since 2005. ‘I reported to the Minister that the discussion on the proposal for the Day of Belief in the One Almighty God has been ongoing since 2005. Alhamdulillah, under his leadership, the believers now have their own Day of Belief,’ Restu said. ‘The discussion was attended by believers and various organisations under the Supreme Council for Belief in the One Almighty God of Indonesia, facilitated by the Directorate of Guidance for Belief in the One Almighty God and Indigenous Peoples,’ he added.