VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Even though it is still in February, the government has announced about the grant of 2019 holiday allowance (THR). The Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu) has even confirmed that the holiday allowance for the state civil apparatus (ASN) will be paid in May 2019 in accordance with the plan. Based on written information on Saturday (02/23/2019), the Ministry of Finance said that the THR would be given before Idul Fitri arrives.

The reason is an effective working day. This year's Idul Fitri holiday will start from June 1st to 7th. Thus, the effective working day for the THR payments is in May. For this reason, the Ministry of Finance has encouraged the government to create a regulation (PP) from the Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform as the institution that initiates the THR grant. The Ministry of Finance hopes that the government’s regulation will be in place before the 2019 General Elections are held on April 17th.

As a competitor in the 2019 General Elections, of course the government's announcement is criticized by the presidential candidate's National Winning Body (BPN) 02: Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno. They consider that President Joko Widodo intentionally announces the plan in a bid to win votes in the presidential election. Actually, they agree that in May, it’s the right time for THR or the 13th salary to be disbursed. But what they could not accept is that there is strong willingness that the regulation related to the grant of 2019 holiday allowance could be set before the presidential election.

Meanwhile, Jokowi-Ma'ruf Amin's National Campaign Team (TKN) asked the Prabowo camp not to always relate everything with politics. The National Winning team of candidate pair 01 affirmed that Jokowi is committed to paying attention to people's welfare. If paid faster, of course it is better. Consequently, the State Civil Apparatus can prepare for the feast early.

Accusing each other does not really need to happen if both parties think clearly the upcoming presidential election. Isn't choice a personal right? Voters will freely vote for any candidates who are good according to their hearts.

Of course, there is something more important than just questioning the announcement of the THR that is considered faster. It would be fine if the two sides discuss how to make this year's the grant of 2019 holiday allowance not be followed by price hike, especially the price of staple foods.