Whether working on Sundays is a sign of Islamization for the pious Papuans.
In Jayapura on 4th August several thousand Papuans from various church associations marched to the governor of Papua’s residence, protesting the recently signed ministerial decree in Jakarta making Sundays official, national work days.
The protestors hoped that Governor of Papua Barnabas Suebu would take up their cause in rejecting the new law.
They carried some banners and distributed pamphlets, on which were said to be written interesting things like:
We reject (an) Islamic Center in Papua because Papua is a peaceful place.
Papua and Pancasila Yes, Papua and Syariah No
Don’t Alter Pancasila and Article 29 of the 1945 Basic Law
Governor, show us that you have faith in the Lord.
An orator, Richard Paay, said:
In Papua Sundays are a day for God, in accordance with Christian teaching.
The demonstrators later marched another kilometre to the Papuan parliament building and several more speeches were given. No-one was shot at. tempo
….the recently signed ministerial decree in Jakarta making Sundays official, national work days.
Wow — is this for real, and is applicable throughout the country?
I guess the government of the Republic of Indone-sh*t-a is getting serious on the idea of circumcizing everyone…
Andrew,
Hold your horse. This discourse on working on Saturdays and Sundays is downright practical, it has nothing to do with Islam, Christianity or anything religious. The thought to request work on Sundays was just to level the demand for electricity that spikes between Monday to Friday. Indonesia is experiencing electricity deficit, and thus the idea of shifting industry activity to Saturdays and Sundays. The whole thing is still in discussion and has not been decided because industries oppose to it (because they have to pay overtime pay) and employees are crying bloody murder (because they want regular week-end).
Exactly, Abdul. Not everything happening in Indonesia is motivated by sinister religious motives. Papuans are increasingly sensitive to the issue of perceived Islamisation. Papuans fear becoming a minority in their own land – for good reason. Only approximately 60% of Papua and Papua Barat’s population are indigenous Papuans, the rest migrants from other parts of Indonesia. Fears of Islamisation are just another layer of the long-standing conflcit.
“This discourse on working on Saturdays and Sundays is downright practical, it has nothing to do with Islam, Christianity or anything religious.”
Abdul Khalid al Jumhuri,
which day would be the free day of the week?
…. as one of the worker that work even in SATURDAY and SUNDAY or on CHRISTMAST or in IDUL FITRI … or sometimes at NEW YEAR, i can’t see how this working days are related to religion ?
Because most people went to mosque at Friday ? other most people went to church at Sunday ?
Work is an obligation to a mature person, one of mature person responsibility to earn money, make a living not to depend on anyone. Thats how i see it…
But if you relate that to more time with family or time to relax from stressful days.. maybe working at weekend days are extremely lame.
I don’t know whether this going to work or not, but we do work with the school days system. When some other countries got the school days from monday to friday, we go to school straight from monday to saturday, from freakin 7 am to 1.30 pm !!
Indonesian have to do more work ??? (after more school days during childhood???)
…not a very good idea tho…
If there is in fact an electricity deficit, why not just strengthen the infrastructure with the tax payer’s money?
Oh I forgot. It’s all used up by the government to fund their lavish lifestyles.
So obviously the people must suffer from its side effect – again, the government are being completely selfish, irresponsible and utterly stupid.
If we don’t have enough electricity, then make it sufficient! Don’t put the burden back to the people and make them change their lives for your stupid rules!
Oh I forgot. Itβs all used up by the government to fund their lavish lifestyles.
Another thing that you forgot which makes things worse, is that most people capable of paying taxes don’t pay as much as they should (if they do at all).
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I wonder again and again how insensitive is the Indonesian government (is it a governmental dcree? π ).
Why not declaring f.e. Wednesday as the free day in the week. Not Friday and not Sunday and everyone will be happy. Or is there any religion or believe praying just wednesday? π