Prabowo's State Budget-Funded Sacrificial Cattle Sparks Debate, Palace Clarifies
The distribution of sacrificial cattle by President Prabowo Subianto to the public during this year’s Idul Adha festival has been confirmed as part of the Presidential Social Assistance (Banpres) programme. The initiative has been ongoing for years.
Deputy Minister of State Secretariat Juri Ardiantoro addressed public queries regarding the use of state funds for the President’s sacrificial cattle. He stated that the cattle are a government assistance initiative to enable citizens, particularly those in need, to participate in Idul Adha celebrations and enjoy sacrificial meat.
“The President’s sacrificial cattle are a government assistance measure aimed at allowing needy citizens to celebrate Idul Adha by collectively slaughtering sacrificial animals,” Juri said in a statement received in Jakarta on Wednesday, 27 May 2026.
Ardiantoro revealed that 1,098 cattle were distributed by President Prabowo Subianto across Indonesia this year. As a form of public assistance, the allocation of Banpres funds is standard practice and has been part of previous government administrations.
He emphasised that the sacrificial cattle are not for the President’s personal benefit but are entirely distributed to communities nationwide. The government aims to ensure citizens directly experience state presence, particularly during religious events with high social significance like Idul Adha.
Ardiantoro added that personally, President Prabowo still performs his own sacrificial ritual using personal funds, with the private cattle also being slaughtered and distributed to the public.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) stated that the national leader’s purchase of sacrificial animals using state funds or the national budget is permissible under Islamic law.
The President’s distribution of 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 the 1447 Hijriah Idul Adha celebrations.