DPR on Prabowo’s State Budget-Funded Qurban Aid to Help the Public

Deputy Chairman of Commission XIII of the DPR RI Sugiat Santoso stated that President Prabowo Subianto’s Qurban assistance programme using the State Budget (APBN) is not new. He said there is nothing wrong with it as using state funds for social activities is customary for a head of state. “This is routine in state affairs. The President, as head of state, indeed has a budget allocated to assist the public,” Sugiat said in Jakarta on Wednesday (27/5), according to Antara. He noted that the presidential Qurban programme has been ongoing since previous administrations, not just under President Prabowo Subianto. He explained that the Qurban assistance benefits thousands of people during Eid al-Adha. Sugiat also emphasised that the Republic of Indonesia’s head of state’s assistance is not limited to Qurban animals. He added that presidential aid budgets are also used to support various sectors that touch on public interests. “Not only Qurban. Presidential aid is also allocated for education, healthcare, and public facilities. So do not view this as something new,” Sugiat said. Previously, President Prabowo Subianto distributed 1,098 Qurban cattle for Eid al-Adha 1447 Hijriah, all sourced from local farmers and comprising premium breeds weighing over 800 kilograms to 1.3 tonnes. State Secretary Deputy Minister Juri Ardiantoro stated the Qurban cattle included Simmental, Limousin, Peranakan Ongole, Brahman, Angus, Bali cattle, FH, Belgian Blue, and Charolais breeds. He added that the Qurban cattle procurement budget comes from APBN via the presidential social assistance allocation, valued at approximately Rp100 billion. Prices are adjusted according to weight and regional locations.