Deputy State Minister: President's Sacrificial Cattle as Government Aid to the Public
Deputy State Minister Juri Ardiantoro stated that the distribution of President Prabowo Subianto’s sacrificial cattle to the public during Iduladha 1447 Hijriah is part of a government aid programme. He noted that the initiative has been ongoing for years. “The President’s sacrificial cattle is government aid to the public, aimed at enabling those in need to celebrate Iduladha by slaughtering sacrificial animals together,” Juri stated on Wednesday (27 May).
Juri made these remarks in response to public questions regarding the use of state funds for the President’s sacrificial cattle procurement. He reiterated that the sacrificial cattle serve as government aid for the public, particularly those in need, to participate in Iduladha celebrations and enjoy the meat. As a public aid measure, Juri confirmed the budget allocation is standard practice, consistently applied in previous administrations.
He also stressed that the sacrificial cattle are not for Prabowo’s personal benefit but fully distributed to communities across regions. Juri added the government aims to make its presence felt by citizens, including through religious occasions like Iduladha. Separately, Prabowo performs his personal sacrificial ritual using his own funds, with his personal sacrificial animals also slaughtered and distributed to the public.
During Iduladha 1447 Hijriah, Prabowo distributed 1,098 sacrificial cattle sourced entirely from local farmers, comprising premium breeds weighing between 800kg and 1.3 tonnes. Deputy State Minister Juri Ardiantoro stated the purchase of 1,098 cattle was funded by the state budget (APBN) under the presidential aid programme for communities, valued at approximately Rp100 billion. Prices vary based on weight and regional factors. The breeds distributed include Simmental, Limousin, Peranakan Ongole, Brahman, Angus, Bali cattle, FH, Belgian Blue, and Charolais.
“The funding comes from the APBN via the presidential community aid budget. Prices vary according to weight and location, so we adjust them per region. The total expenditure is approximately Rp100 billion,” Juri said during a press conference at the Presidential Complex in Jakarta on Tuesday (26 May).