Minister of Forestry to Skip Open House, Encourages Staff to Travel Home and Reunite with Families

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Minister of Forestry (Menhut), Raja Juli Antoni, has revealed that he will not hold an open house during the Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah or 2026 CE celebration this year.

“This year’s Eid, I will once again not hold an open house,” said Raja Juli when contacted on Friday (20/3/2026).

For this year’s Eid celebration, Raja Juli has given permission for his staff to return to their hometowns and gather with their families.

“Please, colleagues who wish to travel home and reunite with their families, plan it well from now,” he stated.

Additionally, he has instructed the Ministry of Forestry staff not to buy Eid hampers or gifts for him.

“I also do not accept any form of Eid gifts or parcels,” Raja Juli emphasised firmly.

“If you wish, I kindly suggest that such gifts be redirected to our brothers and sisters who are more in need,” said the politician from the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI).

It was previously reported that Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has prohibited officials from holding lavish open house events during Eid al-Fitr 2026.

“We must also set an example; open houses or whatever should not be too extravagant,” Prabowo stated during a Cabinet Meeting at the Palace in Jakarta on Friday (13/3/2026).

According to him, officials must set an example for the people.

“Our brothers and sisters in disaster-affected areas, and in this atmosphere, we must set an example for the people,” he said.

Furthermore, Prabowo emphasised that this prohibition does not mean officials cannot hold open houses at all, as the wheels of the economy must keep turning.

“But we shouldn’t completely close all events. If we do, our economy won’t run,” Prabowo added.