TGB: State-Funded Sacrifices by Officials Must Come from Personal Funds

Former two-term NTB Governor Tuan Guru Bajang (TGB) Muhammad Zainul Majdi stated that officials’ use of state budget for sacrificial rituals is permissible provided it is transparently reported and not presented as a personal sacrifice.

TGB made the remarks in response to controversy over a state budget-funded sacrificial aid programme allegedly under President Prabowo Subianto’s name, involving hundreds of billions of rupiah.

He noted that while the use of state funds for sacrifices may be debated under Islamic jurisprudence, as the religious requirement is for personal wealth, the initiative still holds significant societal benefits.

“Religiously, sacrifice must come from personal funds. If using state budget, it is a religious social aid,” TGB wrote on his personal Instagram account on Thursday, 28 May 2026.

In a video he uploaded, TGB, who is also Chairman of the International Organisation of Al-Azhar Alumni (OIAA) Indonesia, explained that government-sponsored sacrifices, including by national leaders, have long been a tradition, with funds sourced from the state budget.

“Thus, when it comes to the highest leadership level, it is referred to as the ‘president’s sacrifice’, for example,” he said.

When TGB served as Governor of West Nusa Tenggara from 2008 to 2018, he stated, “The cattle would be labelled as ‘Governor’s Sacrifice’, not ‘Zainul Majdi’s Sacrifice’ or ‘TGB’s Sacrifice’.”

“Why? Because it is tied to the office. It uses public funds, not personal money. For a religiously valid sacrifice, one must personally slaughter with personal funds,” he explained.

However, TGB added that the substance of officials’ state-funded sacrifices is a beneficial programme for society, particularly the poor and needy.

“With the condition that the process must be transparent. The meat should go to the poor, and it must be made clear this is not a personal sacrifice but a government contribution to promote the spirit of sacrifice and sharing during Eid al-Adha,” he said.

On this basis, TGB reminded officials who perform sacrifices in their official capacity or using state funds that these cannot replace personal worship, nor should they be claimed as such.