Hilal the Cow Causes Chaos After Fleeing Back to Owner's Home

A white cow named Hilal, intended for Kurban, reportedly went berserk as officials were moving it to the slaughter site on Thursday (28 May). The scene at the Kurban site in Desa Labu, Puding Besar District, Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung, turned chaotic as crowds gathered to see the large presidential donation.

The animal, stressed by the large crowd, suddenly broke free, causing panic among onlookers who fled to avoid being gored. It fled to a nearby palm oil plantation, where dozens of villagers struggled to catch it, only for the cow to turn and chase them. After hiding for nearly 30 minutes, it returned to the slaughter site, knocking over parked motorcycles before disappearing into the forest. Surprisingly, Hilal was later found in its original owner’s home, about 100 metres from the site.

Labu Village Head Muslim confirmed the incident, stating the cow likely felt stressed due to the crowds eager to see the presidential donation. “There was one cow that ran away — Hilal, belonging to our local resident. Probably because of the large crowd wanting to see the President’s donated cow,” he said. After a lengthy chase, the cow was captured at the owner’s residence. Due to its condition, it was slaughtered there, with the meat later transported to the Kurban site by pickup truck.

Bangka Regent Fery Insani noted two presidential-donated cows for the regency this year: one for the provincial government handed over by Governor Hidayat Arsani in Sungailiat’s Nelayan 2 area, and a Limousin weighing nearly a ton delivered to Desa Labu. He hoped the meat would be distributed fairly to eligible residents. Desa Labu slaughtered 12 cows overall on Eid al-Adha, with the Limousin being the standout due to its impressive size.

The incident has reignited debate over the funding source of President Prabowo Subianto’s Kurban program, which uses state budget (APBN) funds. Deputy Minister of State Secretariat Juri Ardiantoro stated it is a regular public assistance program. MUI Fatwa Chairman Prof KH Asrorun Niam Sholeh affirmed it complies with Islamic law, while UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta Professor Ahmad Tholabi Kharlie confirmed the cattle were funded by APBN. Padang Panjang City Government distributed 1,170 meat coupons, Masjid Istiqlal in Jakarta handled 65 cattle and 13 goats including a presidential donation, and Astra Foundation delivered Kurban animals nationwide. Attendees joined President Prabowo Subianto for Eid prayers at Wisma Indonesia.