Politics · Indonesia · 4 hrs ago
Indonesia’s religious affairs minister proposes weekly sarong and cap day for civil servants
Indonesia’s Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar proposed a weekly sarong and peci day for civil servants.
He shared the idea at a festival celebrating sarongs and peci caps at the ministry’s office in Jakarta.
Ministry spokesperson Thobib Al-Asyhar said the proposal is not mandatory.
Any use would take account of workers’ conditions, comfort and needs.
The ministry says the garments reflect Indonesia’s cultural history and identity, and sarongs are also made by small and medium-sized businesses.
Al-Asyhar said Joko Widodo had made a similar suggestion in 2019.
The ministry has not announced a requirement or a timetable for putting the idea into practice.
Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar proposed that civil servants wear a cap and sarong once a week.
A ministry spokesperson said the proposal is an idea, not a requirement.
Any use of the clothing would take account of employees’ circumstances, comfort and work needs.
Umar raised the idea at a Sarong and Cap Festival at the Religious Affairs Ministry.
The ministry said a similar idea had been proposed by former President Joko Widodo in 2019.
- Who
- Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar proposed the idea. Ministry spokesperson Thobib Al-Asyhar said it was not compulsory.
- What
- A proposal for civil servants to wear a cap and sarong once a week.
- When
- Umar made the proposal a few days before the spokesperson’s comments on 29 October 2026.
- Where
- At the Sarong and Cap Festival at the Religious Affairs Ministry office in Jakarta.
- Why
- The ministry said the clothing has historical, philosophical and social value and contributes to national identity.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Former President Joko Widodo proposed a similar idea.
Nasaruddin Umar raised the proposal at a Sarong and Cap Festival at the Religious Affairs Ministry office.
Ministry spokesperson Thobib Al-Asyhar said the proposal was an idea, not a requirement.
- Proposed clothing
- Sarong and cap
- Proposed frequency
- Once a week
- Minister
- Nasaruddin Umar
- Spokesperson
- Thobib Al-Asyhar
- Earlier similar proposal
- Joko Widodo, 2019
What people are saying
Its nature is still an idea and it is not compulsory.
The use of it can be a recommendation that still takes account of employees’ circumstances, comfort, and needs in carrying out their daily activities.