The head of the province's sports agency, Meifrizon, said he supported the policy as it would positively impact the performance of officials.

“It has an effect on us. If we don’t check in, we don’t get a salary,” he said.

Meifrizon said the new sign-in system had been tested three times and would be used before every subuh.

However, other officials criticized the move, saying the system had nothing to do with religiosity.

“I normally go to the mosque with the governor, but I don’t check in using the system. Praying is a must because it is about the relationship between me and God. However, attendance tracking is not necessary,” Riau Islands Health Agency head Tjetjep Yudiana said on Monday as quoted by Antara.

He said Riau Islands Governor Nurdin Basirun formulated the policy so that every agency head in the province could focus on being more pious.

Another official who asked to remain anonymous said, "Praying is one’s relationship with God. The attendance system has nothing to do with that. Praying along with the governor is not a must. We started working at 8 a.m., not at dawn.”

The official added that some officials preferred to conduct their dawn prayers in mosques near their houses. (das)