Budget for Iftar Gathering Better Used for the Needy

President Joko Widodo asked government officials to observe fasting with moderation, without exaggerating, so there is no need for iftar together for government officials

KOMPAS/DIONISIUS REYNALDO TRIWIBOWO

Iftar gathering at the Raya Darussalam Mosque and the opening of the Ramadhan Market in Palangkaraya City, Central Kalimantan, Thursday (23/3/2023)..

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The budget available iftar gatherings in ministries or government agencies would be better spent on helping the less fortunate. The money can, for example, be used to provide basic-needs assistance.

"In all government offices, Pak Mentan [agriculture minister], Pak Bapanas [head of the National Food Agency] and myself cannot host the iftar gathering," said Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan following a meeting at the Presidential Palace Complex in Central Jakarta on Friday (24 /3/2023).

"That means, if there is a budget, the money can be used to provide assistance to the community that needs it the most. If you eat together, break the fast together, [it is] only we who can enjoy it," he said.

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According to Zulkifli, the budget allocated for iftar gatherings at regional government offices or ministries would be more beneficial if spent to help the less fortunate, for example by providing assistance in the form of basic necessities.

Meanwhile, Religious Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas shared the trade minister’s view that the budget to be used for iftar gatherings would be better spent in helping those with a lower income. He rejected the accusation the iftar ban gathering was part of the government's anti-Islam policy.

"Oh, where is the anti-Islamic government? Everything is managed from birth to death. Haj is managed, shahada [Islamic oath] is managed, prayers are managed, everything is managed [under Islam]. There is no anti-Islamic government. [The government] provides an alternative, so if the budget is not used for iftar gatherings, it can be spent to help the poor and orphans. It will be more beneficial, more useful," said Yaqut.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas after attending a meeting to discuss the availability of basic commodities and preparations for the Eid homecoming with President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta, Friday (24/3/2023).

When asked about the implementation of the iftar gathering ban at the ministerial offices, the Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto said the ban should be enforced. "Yes, there is no iftar gathering. During the last two or three years, there were no iftar gatherings because of COVID-19. So, we just continue [the new tradition]," he said.

After the issuance of a circular that forbids ministers and heads of agencies to host an iftar gathering, Home Minister Tito Karnavian also issued a similar circular. In a circular dated March 24, 2023, governors, regents or mayors are asked not to hold iftar throughout Ramadan.

The ban is cautionary, because we are currently still in the COVID-19 pandemic-to-endemic transition. It is also intended to support the government’s effort to promote a simple lifestyle among the country's civil servants. This circular was signed by the Secretary-General of the Home Ministry Suhajar Diantor, on behalf of the home minister.

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As previously reported, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo had asked all ministers and heads of institutions not to hold iftar gatherings during the fasting month of Ramadan this year.

The Presidential directive was issued against the backdrop of the need to maintain vigilance against the spread of COVID-19, even though community activity restrictions have been lifted. Another reason is the public spotlight on the luxurious lifestyle of a number of officials and civil servants in the country.

However, the reason for caution, i.e. the pandemic to endemic transition, has been questioned. The circular also asked the home minister to issue a similar notice to governors, regents and mayors. The reason, as written in the circular, is the treatment of COVID-19 is in the transition period from pandemic to endemic, so caution is still needed.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Two man prepare suro porridge for iftar gathering at the Al Mahmudiyah Mosque or known as the Suro Mosque at 30 Ilir, Ilir Barat II District, Palembang, South Sumatra, Thursday (23/3/2023). During Ramadan, mosque managers make porridge every day and eat it with the congregation when breaking their fast.

Internal government

Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, on Thursday afternoon, explained the circular. "This directive is aimed at the internal government, especially the coordinating ministers, ministers and heads of agencies. So not for the general public," he said in a prerecorded statement.

"For that reason, the President asked the government offices to welcome this year's fasting month with a spirit of simplicity, not excessiveness, so that there is no need for government offices to hold iftar gatherings," he said.

Separately, the Deputy for Protocol, Press and Media of the Presidential Secretariat Bey Machmudin said President Jokowi's instructions had been conveyed through a circular letter. The government agency and its officials are considered to be mature enough to obey the President's instructions.

When asked for a response, Narasi Institute's economist and public policy expert, Achmad Nur Hidayat, said the ban on civil servants and state apparatus holding iftar gatherings during Ramadan 2023 was questioned because, first, it was not accompanied by a comprehensive explanation to the public.

It seems as if the government uses double standards.

Second, the government apparatus is prohibited from holding iftar gatherings during Ramadan, but thousands of village officials attended a gathering at the Gelora Bung Karno stadium last week, using state facilities. Large musical performances were also held recently.

Third, the purpose of the iftar ban gathering is stated to be to minimize the potential for the spread of COVID-19, but the President's visits to a number of regions involving government apparatus continue to occur.

"Looking at the three oddities, it is clear that it shows the government's inconsistency, which makes the public question it. It seems as if the government uses double standards," he said.

According to Hidayat, the government's reason for asking government officials not to hold iftar gatherings is also not consistent with the relaxation of the COVID-19 policy throughout 2023. The reason made by the government is also not consistent with the narrative of economic recovery. (Kompas, March 24, 2023)