IMM views President's state budget-funded sacrificial cattle as social solidarity initiative

The Central Leadership Council of the Muhammadiyah Student Association (DPP IMM) considers the President’s provision of 1,098 sacrificial cattle funded by the state budget (APBN) as an act of social solidarity.

Ari Aprian Harahap, Head of the DPP IMM’s Hikmah, Politics, and Public Policy Division, stated that using APBN for sacrificial animals is part of the government’s role in assisting the public, as the benefits extend beyond recipients to other economic sectors.

“The impact is not only felt by the recipients but also generates economic effects for local cattle farmers and businesses involved in distribution and management,” he said in a statement received in Jakarta on Friday.

He emphasised that using state funds for this purpose under the President’s social assistance scheme is legally and Sharia-compliant.

“This is part of the official Banmaspres (presidential social assistance) within Indonesia’s financial system, so it should not be overstated,” he added.

He also stressed that the aid does not come from the President’s personal funds.

“Therefore, this is not President Prabowo’s personal money being labelled as a personal donation,” he said.

Previously, President Prabowo Subianto distributed 1,098 sacrificial cattle for Eid al-Adha 1447 Hijriah, all sourced from local breeders and comprising premium cattle weighing between 800 kilograms and 1.3 tonnes.

Deputy Minister of the State Secretariat Juri Ardiantoro stated the animals were distributed to 552 regions, educational institutions, Islamic boarding schools, social organisations, community leaders, and religious figures nationwide.

“The President has instructed that the sacrificial cattle be utilised as much as possible for communities in need across each region,” Juri said at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, 26 May.