Palace calls Prabwo's animal sacrifice program government aid
“The president’s sacrificial cattle are essentially intended as a form of government aid, particularly aimed at immersing those in need in Eid al-Adha through animal slaughter,” he said in a statement cited here on Thursday.
His remarks followed public scrutiny over the use of the State Budget (APBN) to procure sacrificial animals, including 1,098 cattle distributed across the country.
Ardiantoro described Prabowo’s Qurbani initiative as a long-standing government practice for the public benefit, stressing that it is detached from the president’s personal interest.
He added that the program is intended to bring joy to all during Eid al-Adha.
The deputy minister clarified that, beyond official procurement, the head of state also purchased Qurbani animals with personal funds, with the meat distributed to residents as well.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) assured that APBN-funded sacrifices do not conflict with Islamic law.
MUI Fatwa Chair Professor Asrorun Niam Sholeh explained that such procurement has roots in Islamic history.
He cited a hadith noting that leaders and imams can use baitul mal, or the treasury, to purchase animals for the Feast of Sacrifice, adding that APBN can be regarded as a modern form of such a fund pool.
“In the modern state context, APBN mirrors baitul mal. The state-initiated sacrifice is solely intended for the public good, with no Sharia complications,” he said.
Sholeh further emphasized that the Qurbani program fits seamlessly into bureaucracy as another form of government assistance.
“This practice is akin to presidential aid budgets for staple goods distributed to people. The logic is the same, as sacrificial meat is not consumed by the president but distributed directly to regions,” he concluded.
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Translator: Fathur Rochman, Tegar Nurfitra