Public holidays

Public holidays
in 2003 calendars

From Kompas

The government, through a joint decree from the minister of
religious affairs, the minister of manpower and transmigration
and the state minister for administrative reforms, has stipulated
changes in public holidays in 2003.

Some public holidays have been moved either forward or back to
ensure the people will have a longer holiday, while the
observance of the events on these holidays remains on the same
dates. The 1424 Hijriah New Year, for example, falls on Tuesday,
March 4. In this case it is Monday, March 3, that is made a
public holiday so that people can have a longer holiday (Sunday
and Monday), while the celebration of this Hijriah New Year
remains on Tuesday, March 4. Another example is Indonesia's
Independence Day on Aug. 17. This year it falls on a Sunday. This
year the commemoration of the Independence Day remains on Sunday,
Aug. 17 but people can enjoy a public holiday on Monday, Aug. 18.

Unfortunately, there are still calendars that do not conform
to this joint decree. To avoid confusion, the government must
communicate this joint decree more intensively.

AGUS SUTARJO

Jakarta