JAKARTA, LITERASIHUKUM.COM — Several state officials are said not to be holding open house or holding a reception during Eid al-Fitr 2026, following an appeal from the Palace for the holiday celebration not to be carried out excessively. One of the names mentioned who will not be holding an open house is Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Sufmi Dasco Ahmad.

This step reflects the cautious attitude of officials amidst the government's message that Eid al-Fitr celebrations should still be carried out with social empathy. This appeal was previously conveyed by Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, who emphasized the importance of sensitivity because many people are still not in a fully good economic condition.

According to circulating information, it is not only Dasco who has chosen not to hold an open house this year. A number of officials within the administration of President Prabowo Subianto are also said to be taking similar steps. This policy direction shows that this year's Eid celebrations among the government elite tend to be framed more simply and do not highlight luxury.

The Palace Encourages Simpler Eid Celebrations

The message to avoid excessive celebrations signals that the government wants public officials to maintain social sensitivity amidst the public's economic situation. In that context, open houses, which are usually synonymous with crowds, large banquets, and open meetings on a large scale, are deemed necessary to be held in a more measured manner, or even eliminated.

The choice of a number of officials not to hold open houses can also be read as an effort to adapt to the tone of the policy. Politically, this step is important because the tradition of officials' open houses always contains symbolic meaning: not only friendship, but also the way state elites show their position and style of power in the public sphere.

Different from Last Year

This year's situation appears different from Eid al-Fitr 2025, when President Prabowo held an open house at the Merdeka Palace and received state officials, national figures, and the general public. At that time, the open house event at the Palace was open and attended by many public officials. ANTARA noted that ministers, heads of institutions, and regional heads attended the President's open house at the Palace.

Dasco himself was also seen attending a number of state official open house agendas during last year's Eid. ANTARA and detik noted that Dasco attended the open house of the Chairman of the MPR Ahmad Muzani and the open house of the Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan on Eid al-Fitr 1446 Hijriah.

Therefore, the decision not to hold an open house this year is not just a technical matter of the Eid agenda, but shows a change in the political and social atmosphere. The government seems to want to send a message that public officials need to celebrate religious holidays more simply, more sensitively, and not seem distant from the conditions of society.

In the end, the choice of a number of officials to eliminate the open house can be read as part of the adjustment of political ethics amidst the pressure of efficiency and social sensitivity. Lebaran remains a space for friendship, but this year the nuance is directed so as not to appear excessive in front of the public.