APBN for the People: President Prabowo’s Kurban Program Scrutinised — Explained
On the occasion of Idul Adha 1447 Hijriah on 27 May 2026, President Prabowo Subianto distributed 1,098 cattle funded through the State Budget (APBN) via the Presidential Social Assistance (Banmapres) budget. The total allocated for procuring the cattle amounted to Rp100 billion.
Distribution reached 38 provinces and 514 regencies/cities. Specifically, 598 cattle were distributed directly to provincial and regency/city levels, while the remaining 500 were channelled through Islamic community organisations, Islamic boarding schools (pesantren), and religious leaders across regions.
The President’s kurban programme is designed to support local farmers’ sustainability. All premium-quality cattle were sourced directly from 525 local farmers nationwide, significantly boosting the rural livestock economy.
The initiative addresses regional disparities in kurban distribution identified by the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF) and Institute for Demographic and Affluence Studies (IDEAS). Both institutions reported that the 2026 kurban economic transaction value reached Rp26.89 trillion, with Rp21.42 trillion (79.67%) concentrated in Java.
IDEAS further noted that of Indonesia’s 514 regencies/cities, 163 are severely deficient with distribution coverage below 20%, 107 are highly deficient, and 73 are deficient with coverage between 50-80%. Thus, 343 regencies/cities remain below the 80% adequacy threshold.
APBN Support
The Presidential Social Assistance (Banmapres) programme has a solid legal foundation under the 2026 State Budget Law (UU APBN). First, the “Whereas” clauses of UU APBN 2026 stipulate that the APBN is directed to fulfil citizens’ basic needs and services through three key functions: allocation, distribution, and stabilization.
In the context of the Banmapres kurban programme, the allocation function channels APBN to absorb premium cattle from local farmers, converting them into high-impact social assistance. The distribution function serves as a fair wealth redistribution instrument, ensuring holiday nutrition and joy reach remote areas previously underserved. The stabilization function acts as a social buffer to maintain grassroots economic and psychological stability during religious celebrations.
Second, Article 8(1) of UU APBN 2026 allocates Rp3.14973 trillion for Central Government Expenditure (BPP). Breaking this down, BPP comprises Ministry/Lembaga expenditure of Rp1.51055 trillion and Non-Ministry/Lembaga expenditure of Rp1.63918 trillion.
Non-Ministry/Lembaga expenditure is allocated for: (i) Debt management Rp599.44 trillion; (ii) State grants Rp35.061 billion; (iii) Subsidies Rp318.88 trillion; (iv) Other Expenditure Management Rp526.55 trillion; and (v) Special Transaction Management Rp193.95 trillion.
It should be emphasised that the Rp526.55 trillion allocated for Other Expenditure Management in UU APBN 2026 is used for: (i) emergency response activities; (ii) fiscal risk mitigation; (iii) food security support; (iv) urgent needs; and (v) government obligation payments. Additionally, it covers programmed expenditures such as Presidential/Vice-Presidential Social Assistance (Banmapres) in community, religious, educational, social, or other activities.
Thus, UU APBN 2026 allocates Rp100 billion for Banmapres religious activities, including the presidential kurban programme. As the 2026 APBN has been approved by the DPR RI, its implementation is legally valid.
Third, Article 8(3) of UU APBN 2026 mandates that Central Government Expenditure (BPP) must focus on tangible outputs and outcomes to improve public welfare, while Article 8(4) requires prioritising domestic production and meeting domestic component requirements.
The presidential kurban programme adheres to UU APBN 2026 Articles 8(3) and (4), ensuring outputs and outcomes that enhance welfare and utilise domestic products. All 1,098 cattle are locally sourced, benefiting local farmers and sustaining the livestock sector, while the meat reaches communities across all 514 regencies/cities and 38 provinces.
Sustainability Programme
President Prabowo’s kurban initiative through Banmapres continues predecessors’ efforts. Under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), large cattle were consistently distributed to Istiqlal Mosque and other regions. During President Joko Widodo’s (Jokowi) tenure, kurban cattle reached all 38 provinces, with each province receiving one large cattle sourced from local farmers.
In President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, the presidential kurban programme has significantly expanded to cover all regencies and cities nationwide, with distribution also incorporating regional religious institutions…