"God willing, in the next one or two days, we will issue a joint ministerial decree informing the public that August 18 has been designated as a holiday," Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi told the press at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday.
His statement followed President Prabowo Subianto’s decision to designate this date as an extra day off, allowing citizens more time to fully participate in the Independence Day celebrations.
Hadi noted that he had recently convened a meeting with officials from relevant ministries and agencies to coordinate the joint decree's issuance.
The president’s holiday policy was first announced on Friday (August 1) by Deputy Minister of State Secretary Juri Ardiantoro, who explained that the additional day off is meant to give the public more time to organize celebratory events, including competitions, carnivals, and other community activities.
“August brings special gifts for Independence Month. The government declares August 18, 2025, one day after the commemoration ceremony and the Independence Carnival, as a public holiday,” he noted in a press statement.
He said the government hopes this momentum will help foster optimism, a sense of unity, and creativity among Indonesians, helping to drive nationwide prosperity and progress.
Last year, Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar, Manpower Minister Yassierli, and Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Minister Rini Widyantini signed decrees listing national holidays and collective leave days for 2025.
However, August 18 was not included in that earlier list.
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Translator: Mentari D, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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