Thousands of Aceh Residents Queue Joyfully to Receive Presidential Meugang Meat Aid
Thousands of residents queued up in the courtyard of the North Aceh Regent’s official residence, Ismail A. Jalil, on Thursday evening, 19 March 2026. Some residents were seen carrying prayer mats on their shoulders, having just returned from Tarawih prayers. Women, all wearing hijabs, joined the orderly queue under the security of TNI personnel.
The community was highly enthusiastic in awaiting the distribution of beef for celebrating Meugang or Makmeugang. This tradition has been ingrained in the people of Aceh for centuries, dating back to the sultanate era.
In this generational ritual, rulers or leaders distribute beef from slaughtered cattle to the surrounding population. Makmeugang is carried out twice a year, on the day before Ramadan and the day before Eid al-Fitr.
For this year’s Makmeugang, the people of Aceh received special support from the central government. As reported by the Task Force for Accelerating Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (Satgas PRR) on Tuesday, 17 March 2026, aid funds have been transferred for 19 districts/cities in Aceh, covering 1,455 villages in the affected areas.
The total aid amounts to Rp 72.75 billion. This figure matches the amount of aid from the first phase disbursed at the beginning of Ramadan. Overall, the total funds allocated by President Prabowo Subianto to preserve the Aceh people’s Meugang tradition this year reach Rp 145.5 billion.
After receiving the transferred funds, North Aceh Regent Ismail A. Jalil immediately moved to ensure the availability of cattle for his residents. He expressed deep gratitude for the significant attention from Jakarta.
“We, as local government heads, along with all the people of North Aceh Regency, express our utmost thanks to the President of the Republic of Indonesia for providing this Meugang aid. The aid you have given is very beneficial to our community,” said Ismail.
The same enthusiasm was felt in other remote areas. Aid cattle from President Prabowo Subianto have also arrived, including in Agusen Village, Belanjaran Subdistrict, Gayo Lues Regency. There, the president’s shipped cattle began to be distributed to ensure that all 1,455 villages across Aceh can celebrate Eid al-Fitr with full cheer.
The most touching scenes were seen in Aceh Tamiang Regency. For the local community, this Meugang feels very special and heartwarming.
Amid the struggle to recover from the remnants of the flood disaster, tangible aid in the form of Meugang beef began flowing to 210 villages in the regency.
“We are very helped. Currently, our economy is still difficult to recover, while Lebaran needs certainly increase. Thank you, Mr President, for caring and directly seeing our difficulties,” said one resident in Tanjung Seumantoh Village with an emotional tone.
The Agriculture, Plantation, and Livestock Department (Distanbunak) of Aceh Tamiang worked extra hard to ensure this mandate reaches the right hands. Head of Distanbunak Aceh Tamiang, Yunus, emphasised that around 78,000 Family Heads (KK) recorded as flood victims are ensured to receive their shares equally.
“We ensure that all KK included in the flood victim data receive this aid without exception. This is a direct mandate to ease the burden on our brothers and sisters,” Yunus asserted firmly.
Through this aid, the smoke rising from Aceh residents’ kitchens while cooking Meugang beef is not just about filling stomachs, but a symbol that the state is present to offer a sympathetic “embrace” as its people have just risen from the flood disaster at the end of last year.