Prabowo's Eid Sacrifice Using State Budget Sparks Controversy, Palace Explains Fully
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Deputy State Secretary Minister Juri Ardiantoro explained that the distribution of sacrificial cattle by President Prabowo Subianto to the public during this year’s Eid al-Adha is part of the long-standing Presidential Social Assistance Programme (BANPRES).
Juri’s comments came in response to public questions regarding the use of state funds for the President’s sacrificial animals. He stated that the cattle are a government aid to ensure citizens, particularly those in need, can celebrate Eid al-Adha and enjoy the sacrificial meat.
“The President’s sacrificial cattle are a government assistance to the public. The aim is for those in need to celebrate Eid al-Adha by sharing in the slaughter of sacrificial animals,” Juri said in Jakarta on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, according to a statement from the State Secretariat.
Juri revealed that this year, 1,098 cattle were distributed by President Prabowo across Indonesia. As a form of public aid, the use of BANPRES budget allocations is standard practice and has been part of government operations in previous years.
He stressed that the sacrificial cattle assistance is not for the President’s personal benefit but is entirely distributed to communities nationwide. The government aims for citizens to directly feel the presence of the state, especially through religious occasions with high social value like Eid al-Adha.
Juri also added that personally, President Prabowo still performs his personal sacrificial ritual using his own funds. The President’s personal sacrificial animal is also slaughtered and distributed to the public.
The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has stated that the purchase of sacrificial animals by the head of state using state funds or the state budget does not conflict with Islamic law. MUI Fatwa Commission Chairman Professor KH Asrorun Niam Sholeh explained that this procurement model has strong fiqh foundations in Islamic history.
According to Prof Niam, referencing a Hadith from Imam Bukhari, a leader or imam is encouraged to purchase sacrificial animals through Baitul Mal or state funds. In modern contexts, the state budget can be understood as a modern Baitul Mal managed for public benefit.
“In today’s governance context, the state budget acts as a modern Baitul Mal. Therefore, state-sponsored sacrifices are purely for the welfare and benefit of the wider public. There is no issue under Islamic law,” Prof Niam said.
He added that the mechanism is also logically sound from a bureaucratic perspective, similar to other government social assistance programmes. The difference is this aid is provided in the form of sacrificial animals distributed to various regions.
“Just like BANPRES allocations in the form of essential goods distributed to the public. The logic is the same: the sacrificial animals are not consumed personally by the President but are directly distributed to regions,” Prof Niam added.
The distribution of the President’s sacrificial cattle via BANPRES is seen as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen social care, enhance religious outreach, and ensure communities across regions share in the joy of Eid al-Adha 1447 Hijriyah.