APBN for the People: Presidential Qurban Program Faces Scrutiny

On the occasion of Eid al-Adha 1447 Hijriah falling on 27 May 2026, President Prabowo Subianto distributed 1,098 cattle funded by the state budget (APBN) through the Presidential Social Assistance Budget (Banmapres). The total allocation for procuring thousands of cattle amounted to Rp100 billion.

The qurban cattle distribution reached 38 provinces and 514 regencies/cities. Specifically, 598 cattle were distributed directly to provincial and regency levels, while the remaining 500 were channelled through Islamic community organisations, Islamic boarding schools (pesantren), and religious leaders across various regions.

Additionally, President Prabowo Subianto’s qurban programme is designed to support local livestock farmers. All premium-quality cattle were purchased directly from 525 local breeders nationwide, significantly boosting the rural livestock economy.

The programme’s nationwide reach aims to address regional disparities in qurban distribution, as highlighted by the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF) and the Institute for Demographic and Affluence Studies (IDEAS).

Both institutions reported that the 2026 qurban economic transaction value reached Rp26.89 trillion, with Rp21.42 trillion (79.67%) concentrated in Java.

IDEAS also noted that out of Indonesia’s 514 regencies/cities, 163 are classified as severely deficient with distribution sufficiency below 20%. Additionally, 107 areas are highly deficient and 73 are deficient with sufficiency between 50-80%. Thus, approximately 343 regencies/cities remain below the 80% sufficiency threshold.

APBN Support

The Presidential Social Assistance Budget (Banmapres) has a solid legal foundation in the 2026 State Budget Law (UU APBN 2026). Firstly, the preamble of the 2026 APBN Law states that the state budget is directed towards fulfilling basic citizen needs and public services through three main functions: allocation, distribution, and stabilization.

In the context of the Banmapres qurban programme, the allocation function channels APBN to absorb premium cattle from local breeders and convert them into high-impact social assistance. The distribution function serves as an instrument for equitable wealth redistribution, ensuring nutrition and festive joy reach remote areas previously underserved. The stabilization function acts as a social buffer to maintain economic and psychological stability among grassroots communities during religious celebrations.

Secondly, Article 8(1) of the 2026 APBN Law stipulates that the Central Government Expenditure (BPP) is allocated at Rp3.14973 trillion. Breaking it down, the BPP consists of Ministry/Agency Expenditure (Rp1.51055 trillion) and Non-Ministry/Agency Expenditure (Rp1.63918 trillion).

Further, Non-Ministry/Agency Expenditure is divided into: (i) Debt Management (Rp599.44 trillion); (ii) State Grants (Rp350.61 billion); (iii) Subsidies (Rp318.88 trillion); (iv) Other Expenditure Management (Rp526.55 trillion); and (v) Special Transaction Management (Rp193.95 trillion).

It is important to note that the Other Expenditure Management programme under the 2026 APBN, allocated Rp526.55 trillion, 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 the Presidential/Vice-Presidential Social Assistance (Banmapres) in community, religious, educational, social, or other activities.

Thus, the 2026 APBN has allocated Rp100 billion for the Presidential Qurban programme under Banmapres’ religious sector. As the 2026 APBN has been approved by the DPR RI, its implementation is legally valid.

Thirdly, Article 8(3) of the 2026 APBN Law mandates that Central Government Expenditure must focus on tangible outputs and outcomes to improve public welfare, while Article 8(4) requires prioritising domestic production and incorporating domestic component levels as per regulations.

The presidential qurban programme aligns with Articles 8(3) and (4) of the 2026 APBN Law, focusing on outputs and outcomes that enhance public welfare and using domestically produced goods. The 1,098 cattle are sourced from local breeders, benefiting local farmers and supporting sustainable livestock farming. The sacrificial meat is then distributed to communities across all 514 regencies/cities and 38 provinces nationwide.

Sustainability Programme

President Prabowo’s qurban initiative through Banmapres continues the legacy of previous administrations. During President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s (SBY) era, jumbo cattle were consistently distributed to Istiqlal Mosque and other regions. Under President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), the programme expanded to 38 provinces, with each receiving one jumbo bull purchased from local breeders in their respective provinces.

In President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, the presidential qurban programme has significantly expanded its reach to cover all regencies and cities nationwide. Additionally, the distribution includes regional religious institutions.