Officials' Eid "Open House" Amidst Budget Efficiency, Are They Still Spending a Lot?

Open houseor open doors are often seen held by officials or government agencies every time the Eid celebration arrives. Not infrequently, the momentum is often held on a large scale and at the same time to show the identity of the official who held it. But now, will something similar be seen amidst the state budget efficiency policy and the economic turmoil faced by the community?

When contacted on Saturday (29/3/2025), Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya stated that President Prabowo Subianto has repeatedly reminded his staff to streamline and optimize the state budget in organizing activities for officials or within government institutions. Thus, the state budget can be allocated to other matters that are more important for the public.

The President's message became particularly stronger after the issuance of his directive for all government agencies, both at the central and regional levels, to cut their budgets at the end of last January.

The importance of efficiency is no exception during the momentum of this Lebaran celebration. President Prabowo did not prohibit the tradition of visiting relatives during Lebaran which has been seen from open house activities. "Visiting each other and asking for forgiveness has become part of the tradition in Indonesia," he said.

However, the tradition was requested to be held simply, no longer on a large scale which often even eats up the state budget.

This message, according to Bima, will also be implemented in the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) and its officials.

The former Mayor of Bogor, for example, will only celebrate Eid with his extended family. A tradition he usually does every Eid. There will be absolutely no special open house event that costs a large budget.

Likewise at the Ministry of Home Affairs. There was no open house at all. "Later on the first day of work (after the Eid holiday) an internal gathering event was scheduled, mutual forgiveness, that's all," said Bima.

Minister of Social Affairs (Mensos) Saifullah Yusuf implemented something similar. "Not only for efficiency, but also for practicality. If it's an open house, it can be held without having to provide a lot of food, just water, the important thing is that the relationship is maintained. However, we don't choose that," he said.

As a replacement, the halal bihalal will be held on the first working day of civil servants (ASN) after the Eid holiday. In addition to ensuring the efficiency of the state budget, the halal bihalal is sufficiently conducted on the first working day to also ensure the attendance of all employees. "At the same time, we will check who is present and who is absent," he added.

The absence of an open house, continued Saifullah Yusuf, was also because other approaches to friendship were considered more effective and practical. The other approach in question was saying happy Eid and apologizing via telephone or social media. "What's important is that friendship is maintained," he said.

In addition, if an open house is forced to be held, it will actually burden ASN at the Ministry of Social Affairs. They are forced to come in to prepare for the open house, when they should be gathering with their families.

Minister of Population and Family Development and Head of the National Population and Family Planning Agency, Wihaji, also said that there was no open house in his ministry.

He also did not plan to hold a large-scale open house at his residence. Moreover, he believed that people would focus on spending time with their families. Many would also return to their hometowns. So, he considered that there was no need to hold a special open house event.

However, if anyone wishes to visit, the former Regent of Batang, Central Java, will not close his door. And as usual during the Eid al-Fitr celebration, he will also visit friends, family, or colleagues. "Usually, it's just a handshake, and that's it. There are no issues of extravagance during Eid," he added.

Not only at the ministerial level, a number of regional heads have also taken the initiative to save the budget that must be spent when still choosing to hold an open house, there are even regional heads who have decided not to hold an open house at all.

South Sulawesi (Sulsel) Governor Andi Sudirman Sulaiman, for example, decided not to hold an open house on the grounds that he wanted to give the opportunity for ASN in his government to be able to spend more time with their families. Togetherness with family during the Lebaran momentum is considered the most valuable thing. In addition, the open house was also eliminated for efficiency.

It is different with the Governor of Bengkulu, Helmi Hasan. He will still hold an open house. However, in the midst of state budget efficiency, the implementation of the open house will be simplified.

In previous Eid, the open house for the governor, deputy governor, chairman and leadership elements of the DPRD were held separately with different budgets, while this time, the open house for these officials was combined in the same place, at the Regional Building or the Red and White Official Residence, on the first day of Eid, Monday (31/3/2025).

"Currently, the country is implementing budget efficiency, but open houses must still be held so that relations between the public and regional heads are maintained. We will hold one day at the governor's official residence," said Governor Helmi Hasan as quoted from Kompas.com.

Public policy observer, Trubus Rahadiansyah, opines that amidst the government's efficiency policies and the recent economic conditions burdening the public, it would be more appropriate for state officials to be sensitive and considerate, thereby refraining from holding special open house events, especially on a large scale, during this year's Eid celebration.

"So far (open houses) have been extravagant, spending extraordinary amounts of money. The atmosphere that is created is no longer about forgiving from the heart, but rather an event for flexing (showing off wealth). Especially if the ruling party wants to show superiority over the losing party. That's where corruption (gratification) can run rampant, especially in areas with minimal supervision," he said.

Instead, according to Trubus, Eid greetings can be sent via social media or digital messages. Open house is not too urgent because it is not the core of the gathering.

"It is not necessary to gather in person. What is important is a sense of togetherness. Nowadays, ministries can also use social media for communication without having to meet directly with the public," he added.