Newly Appointed Head of Baznas Receives Special Presidential Message on Free Nutritious Meals

Jakarta — The newly appointed head of the National Zakat Collection Agency (Baznas), Sodik Mudjahid, revealed that President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto advised him that zakat funds cannot be used for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. During a discussion titled “Zakat Strengthening Indonesia” in Jakarta on Monday, 16 March 2026, Sodik disclosed that he received a special mandate from the President shortly after his appointment as head of Baznas.

“Sodik, help the government in alleviating poverty, help the government in improving welfare. But I know that zakat has its beneficiary categories (those who are entitled to receive it),” Sodik quoted President Prabowo as saying.

Sodik further explained that Prabowo wanted Baznas to contribute to improving public welfare through its various programmes, but not for the MBG scheme because certain recipients do not fall within the categories of zakat beneficiaries.

He noted that the Head of State has a strong commitment to improving public welfare, including through the instrument of zakat, infak (voluntary alms), and sadaqah (charitable giving). “I am not only seeing and listening, but truly feeling how committed he is to the welfare of the common people and how committed President Prabowo is to preserving national assets for our people,” Sodik said.

On the same occasion, Acting Deputy IV of the Government Communication Agency (Bakom) Adita Irawati stated that zakat plays a strategic role in supporting the government’s efforts to reduce poverty whilst improving public welfare.

“Zakat is indeed an obligation for Muslims, but do not forget that this zakat can also be an important instrument in building social justice and strengthening national solidarity,” she said.