Ban on Iftar Gathering Only for Government Officials, Not for Public

VIVA – Entering Ramadhan, All Muslims usually do Iftar gathering with friends, big family, or some other people. However, recently, the Indonesian President, Joko Widodo (Jokowi) appealed to all state officials and government employees not to hold an iftar gathering in Ramadhan 1444 H/2023 AD. 

Related to this, Cabinet Secretary, Pramono Anung, affirmed a circular letter prohibiting officials and State Civil Apparatus (ASN) from organizing iftar together in the holy month of Ramadhan 1444 H/2023 AD. According to him, the letter was addressed to Coordinating Ministers, Ministers, and Heads of Institutions, not for the public.

“About the letter, I want to explain that first, the iftar gathering or the President's direction is only addressed to the Coordinating Ministers, Ministers, Heads of government institutions," he said in his press statement on Thursday.

Anung also said: "Second, this directly letter does not apply for the general public. So, they are still given the freedom to do iftar gathering," he emphasized.

Moreover, Anung explained the reason for the prohibition of officials and ASN from holding an iftar gathering is because government officials are in the public spotlight regarding luxurious lifestyles and showing off wealth.

Hence, he reminded government officials to show simplicity,  not showing off luxury that cause negative in puvlic point of view. 

As information, the directive letter from President Joko Widodo was addressed to the ministers of the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet, the Attorney General, the Commander of the TNI, the Chief of Police, and the heads of agencies/institutions.

There are three directives in the letter, namely:

1. The handling of COVID-19 is currently in transition from a pandemic to an endemic, so caution is still needed.

2. In connection with this, the implementation of Iftar gathering in the Ramadhan 1444 H should be canceled.

3. The Minister of Home Affairs should follow up on the above directives to governors, regents, and mayors.