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