Bahlil Apologises to Party Cadres for Slow Response Due to Geopolitical Conditions

JAKARTA – The General Chairman of the Golkar Party and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, has apologised for his slow response to communications when contacted by his party cadres.

“On behalf of myself and my family, I extend my apologies from the heart, as we are now in the month of Syawal. There are surely many mistakes, especially calls that go unanswered or WhatsApp messages that are rarely replied to,” Bahlil stated at the Central Executive Board (DPP) building of the Golkar Party in Jakarta on Wednesday (8/4/2026).

“I ask for your forgiveness, and I think over the past two to three months, especially in this era of uncertain geopolitics, I honestly haven’t been sleeping very well,” he explained.

“But according to me, according to Mr Idrus’s notes (Idrus Marham, a Golkar politician), this isn’t an issue of unanswered calls or WhatsApp messages. The problem lies in social media,” he said.

Bahlil assessed that social media often affects one’s inner state, both positively and negatively.

“Social media sometimes disrupts the inner atmosphere. Both the positive and the negative. But that’s the risk. And because of that, I also apologise for everything,” he remarked.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I can’t stay long because earlier, while changing clothes, I received a call from the one who has the authority to command ministers,” Bahlil concluded.