"The President has signed the Presidential Decree Number 18, 2017, dated June 15, regarding the national leave for all civil servants. It states that June 23 to 30 would be declared as days off in connection with the decision. The Eid holiday is not included in it," cabinet secretary Pramono Anung said at the Presidential Office here on Thursday.
With this decision, civil servants in the country will have 10 days off or two weeks to enjoy the Islamic post-fasting holiday starting from June 23 to July 2.
The decision will not reduce the civil servants right for annual leave, which is for 12 working days.
Pramono Anung noted that it is hoped that the decision will help boost economic distribution to the regions.
He remarked that the sanctions would be given to civil servants who violate the leave decision by extending their holiday.
Transportation minister Budi Karya Sumadi revealed that with the decision, it would mean that the peak of Eid exodus would on June 22 evening.
He believed that the decision would enable the wider spread of the flow of exodus. "As school children will start the holiday on June 19, I hope some would start leaving earlier from June 19to 22 so that not all people would leave on June 23," he added.
As a tradition, Indonesians who are mostly Muslims will leave to meet their relatives or friends to extend greetings on Eid.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2017
