Gerindra on President's 1,098 Sacrificial Cows from State Budget: No Rules Breached
Gerindra party spokesperson Bahtra Banong explained the legality of President Prabowo Subianto’s provision of 1,098 sacrificial cows using the state budget (APBN), stating the assistance is legally valid as part of the official Presidential Social Assistance (Banmaspres) programme within the national financial system.
“This is not the president’s personal money claimed as private aid. It is a national social assistance programme formally budgeted through the APBN to support communities across various regions. No regulations have been breached,” Bahtra told reporters on Wednesday (27 May 2026).
The Deputy Chair of the House of Representatives’ Second Commission added that social assistance, including sacrificial cows, has a legal basis under the 2026 State Budget Law. He noted similar programmes were implemented during the administrations of former Presidents Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and Joko Widodo (Jokowi).
“In previous presidential terms, sacrificial cow assistance was also distributed nationwide through state mechanisms facilitated by the Presidential Secretariat,” Bahtra said.
“Moreover, presidential social assistance has long included food aid, housing support, disaster relief, education grants, healthcare assistance, places of worship support, and aid for disadvantaged communities. Do not create the impression that such programmes are new,” he added.
He stressed the state has a duty to assist citizens, particularly during religious occasions like Eid al-Adha, and rejected narratives suggesting the government should not aid its people.
“Do not foster the notion that the state cannot support its citizens. This initiative ensures Eid al-Adha benefits reach wider communities, especially those in need,” Bahtra stated.
“Beyond aiding recipients, the programme also boosts local livestock economies, strengthens the national livestock sector, and stimulates regional economic activity,” he continued.
Bahtra criticised current controversies as politically motivated, ignoring the tangible benefits to communities. He urged against negative narratives regarding President Prabowo’s cow assistance.
“The priority is ensuring citizens benefit, programmes adhere to state regulations, and local economies grow. Do not politicise everything solely to generate negative perceptions,” he said.
Previously, Deputy State Secretary Minister Juri Ardiantoro confirmed the sacrificial cows distributed by President Prabowo originated from the Presidential Social Assistance budget line, totalling approximately Rp100 billion.
“The funding comes from the APBN via the Presidential Assistance, Social Assistance budget. Cow prices vary by weight and location, so costs are adjusted per region, with total expenditure around Rp100 billion,” Juri told reporters at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Tuesday (26 May 2026).
A total of 1,098 cows were distributed, with 598 allocated to regions and 500 to educational institutions and community leaders. The cattle were procured through coordination between the State Secretariat Ministry via the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Agriculture, and local livestock and veterinary health departments.