Sultan HB X Pays Zakat, Baznas Guarantees Allocation According to the Eight Asnaf, Not for MBG
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, YOGYAKARTA — The Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, fulfilled his zakat obligation through the National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas) DIY at Bangsal Kepatihan, Yogyakarta. On this occasion, Sri Sultan described zakat as the foundation of social solidarity, not merely a ritual obligation.
The Sultan said that the exemplary conduct of leaders in paying zakat is a moral message that must be followed through down to the lowest levels of bureaucracy. According to him, zakat participation must be built through clear instructions from leadership.
‘Zakat is not merely a religious obligation. Zakat brings relief, fosters compassion, and touches the hearts of others. Wealth is not to be hoarded, but to be made to benefit the welfare of others,’ he said at Bangsal Kepatihan, Yogyakarta, Tuesday (3/3/2026).
The Sultan also urged heads of OPD (Organisasi Perangkat Daerah) and institutions to ensure their staff pay zakat through official bodies. He also called on civil servants (ASN) within the DIY regional government to pay zakat on income at the rate of 2.5 percent in accordance with the nisab. Optimising zakat among DIY ASN, he said, should be driven directly by the leaders of agencies and institutions.
The policy is expected to be understood not only as a religious obligation but also as part of strengthening social welfare in DIY.
‘I hope the leaders present can tell their subordinates or staff how to pay zakat, which is a duty. If they come but do not order their staff to pay zakat, then it is useless. We must start with the heads of OPD and institutions so there is a direct instruction down the line,’ Sri Sultan said.
Baznas Clarifies MBG Issue
This moment also serves to reaffirm that zakat funds managed by BAZNAS are not allocated to the government programme Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG). Responding to public concerns, the Chair of Baznas DIY, Puji Astuti, emphasised that zakat funds are distributed in accordance with sharia and are not related to the MBG programme.
‘Zakat management is conducted in line with the Three Aman principles: Safe for Sharia, Safe for Regulation, and Safe for the NKRI. The current reporting and negative rumours about zakat for the MBG programme are untrue,’ Puji said.
She ensured there is no policy overlap or distribution between zakat and that programme.
‘I guarantee it is not for MBG. We have never been connected or involved with MBG. That is very different because MBG does not fall within the eight Asnaf criteria,’ she said.
In agreement with this, Rizaludin Kurniawan, Head of the Baznas RI Collections Division, said the zakat, infaq and alms (ZIS) entrusted to the people are fully returned to the community through the eight asnaf that have been set.
‘Zakat, infaq, and alms entrusted by the public to Baznas are not used at all for the Makan Bergizi Gratis programme,’ Rizaludin said.
During 2025, Baznas DIY collected ZIS-DSKL funds amounting to Rp12.5 billion and disaster donations of Rp1.4 billion. The organisation’s financial statements have earned an unqualified opinion (WTP) for nine consecutive years and have been rated Transparent and Very Good in the syariah audit by the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. In Ramadhan this year, Baznas DIY prepared distributions of 1,500 zakat fitrah packages, 2,750 Ramadhan Bahagia packages, living cost assistance for students affected by disasters, and the Syiar Al-Qur’an programme.