REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi)'s decision to grant Eid al-Fitr allowances and 13th salaries to civil servants, military, and police personnel, as well as pensioners was assessed as part of political strategy. The comment came from House of Representatives (DPR) Deputy Speaker Fadli Zon.
He said Jokowi's decision to raise budget for Eid al-Fitr allowances has political purpose, especially related to this political year. "In my opinion there may be intentions due to political year and I think previous governments also do the same thing," said Fadli on Wednesday (May 23).
Fadli did not understand what made the government issued new decision on Eid al-Fitr allowances this year. He said there must be clear reason behind the decision.
In addition, Fadli also said the allowances is better to be allocated to government's honorarium staff. He assessed many problems related to honorarium staff.
"They already served government and the problem related to honorarium staff must be resolved by recruiting them ascivil servants and give them allowances, for instance," Fadli explained.
Jokowi has signed a government regulation on granting of Eid al-Fitr allowances and the 13th salaries. He expressed hope that the Eid al-Fitr allowances and the 13th salaries would not only boost the welfare of civil servants and pensioners when they celebrate Eid al-Fitr festivities but will also encourage civil servants to offer better services to the public.
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati stated that the Eid al-Fitr allowances will be paid to civil servants, military and police personnel, as well as pensioners, from late May to early June 2018. She confirmed that she will issue a ministerial regulation on the payment of allowances and 13th salaries.