On shifting holidays

On shifting holidays

From Media Indonesia

In response to Media Indonesia's editorial on Sept. 24, 2003
on holiday shifts, we would like to explain the background and
substance of the government policy.

The joint decree (of three ministers) on this matter --
effective for the calendar year 2003 -- was issued after a long
process of consultations with religious leaders and inter-
departmental meetings. Public holidays are divided into religious
holidays for commemorative ceremonies, religious holidays for
worship or rituals, and national holidays.

For the purpose of encouraging family or social gatherings and
increasing national productivity on working days, holidays are to
be arranged as follows:
1. Religious holidays for worship/rituals and national holidays
remain unchanged.
2. Religious holidays for commemorative ceremonies are to be
shifted in the following way: Those falling on Tuesday or
Wednesday are advanced to Monday, and those falling on Thursday
are to be postponed until Friday.
3. National holidays falling on working days are shifted to the
day before or after non-working days.

For 2003, religious holidays for worship which remain
unchanged, are Idul Adha/Day of Sacrifice (Feb. 12), Hindu Day of
Silence (April 2), Buddha's Day of Enlightenment (May 16), Idul
Fitri (Nov. 25 and Nov. 26) and Christmas (Dec. 25).

National days, also unchanged, are New Year's Day (Jan. 1) and
National Independence Day (Aug. 17). But as the independence day
falls on Sunday this year, the holiday is shifted to August 18.
Religious holidays for commemoration can be advanced or put off
unless they fall on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Additional holidays are also fixed for 2003, namely two extra
days for Idul Fitri, Nov. 25 and Nov.28; an extra day for Idul
Adha to become Feb. 12 and Feb.13 and an extra day for Christmas
Day to become Dec. 25 and Dec. 26.

The arrangement of public holidays for schools are left to the
school management, as long as the fixed number of hours for study
is not reduced.

A public opinion poll has shown that 58.4 percent of
respondents described the holiday shifts as beneficial to
families and 56.4 percent considered the policies convenient for
social gatherings.

ROSDIAWAN
Office of Coordinating Minister
for Public Welfare
Jakarta