Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono took the day off on Monday in accordance with the government`s decision announced last Friday to declare the day time for "collective leave."

Presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said here Monday confirmed President Yudhoyono was on holiday on Monday which was considered "sandwich" between Sunday (May 15) and the Waisak 2555 Holiday on Tuesday (May 17).

"Because the government has decided to declare today time for collective leave," he said.

Up to Monday morning, according to Julian, the president was at his private residence at Puri Cikeas Indah, and had no schedule to go to his office at the presidential palace.

"Until now, no official activity has been scheduled," he said.

However, there was still a possibility that Yudhoyono might call his ministers for a meeting at Cikeas, or hold a meeting with leaders of the Democrat Party.

The government last Friday declared Monday a day for collective leave ahead of the public holiday of Buddhist annual observation of Waisak on Tuesday.

The decision announced on short notice, was jointly made by three ministries - the religious affairs, manpower and transmigration and state apparatus ministries.

Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono said the collective leave was decided for the sake of efficiency and effectiveness of working days. (f001/A/HAJM)

(ANTARA)