Baznas Chief: Prabowo Reminds That Zakat Cannot Be Used for Free Nutritious Meal Programme
The head of Indonesia’s National Zakat Agency (Baznas), Sodik Mudjahid, has stated that President Prabowo Subianto reminded him that zakat funds cannot be allocated to the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG).
Sodik disclosed this during a discussion titled “Zakat Strengthening Indonesia” in Jakarta on Monday, 16 May 2026, revealing that he received specific instructions from the President shortly after being appointed as Baznas Chief.
“Sodik, help the government in eradicating poverty, help the government in improving people’s welfare. But I know that zakat has its asnaf (eligible recipients),” Sodik quoted the President as saying.
Sodik continued that Prabowo wanted Baznas to contribute to improving public welfare through its various programmes, but not the MBG programme because there are individuals who do not fall within the categories of eligible zakat recipients under Islamic law.
He noted that the Head of State is strongly committed to enhancing public welfare, including through the instrument of zakat, infak, and sedekah (charitable giving). “I am not merely observing and listening, but truly experiencing his commitment to ordinary citizens and his commitment to protecting state assets for our people,” said Sodik Mudjahid.
In the same discussion, Acting Deputy IV of the Government Communications Agency (Bakom), Adita Irawati, stated that zakat plays a strategic role in supporting the government’s efforts to reduce poverty whilst enhancing public welfare.
“Zakat is indeed an obligation for Muslims, but do not forget that zakat can also be an important instrument in building social justice and strengthening national solidarity,” she said.
Adita added that zakat is not only an obligation for Muslims but can also serve as an important instrument in building social justice and strengthening national solidarity. “In this context, what the National Zakat Agency (Baznas) is doing has a very strategic role in supporting the achievement of these objectives,” said Adita Irawati.