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Iftar ban to promote austerity among civil servants: Cabinet secretary
In a statement published on the YouTube channel of the State Secretariat on Thursday evening, Pramono said that President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo came up with the new policy after considering the barrage of criticism directed toward government workers who displayed their allegedly ill-gotten wealth on social media.
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President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo (left) accompanied by Cabinet secretary Pramono Anung prepares to lead a limited meeting (ratas) at the Bogor Palace in West Java, on Feb. 2, 2020. (Antara/Hafidz Mubarak A)
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esponding to public outcry against the ban on iftar gathering for government workers, Cabinet secretary Pramono Agung Wibowo defended the policy on Thursday, saying that the policy was aimed at promoting a modest lifestyle among civil servants.
In a statement published on the YouTube channel of the State Secretariat on Thursday evening, Pramono said that President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo came up with the new policy after considering the barrage of criticism directed toward government workers who displayed their allegedly ill-gotten wealth on social media.
"Government workers are currently under this glaring spotlight and because of that the President calls on members of the civil service to break the fast in a modest way and not invite senior government officials to the event," Pramono said.
In recent weeks, a number of officials from the Tax Office and the Customs and Excise Office were questioned by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) following allegations they had amassed massive amounts of wealth, some of which had been displayed on social media by members of their families.
It was Pramono who signed a circular issued on Tuesday that barred government workers from holding iftar gathering. In the circular, the Cabinet secretary cited the COVID-19 situation as the primary consideration for the new regulation.
In his statement on Thursday, Pramono also maintained that the iftar gathering ban would only apply to limited government agencies, to coordinating ministers, ministers and heads of agencies.
