Bahlil Requests Permission to Call Prabowo 'Kanda' to Ensure Swift Policy Processing

The Chairman of the Honourary Board of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI), Bahlil Lahadalia, made a jesting remark in front of President Prabowo Subianto. Bahlil requested permission to call Prabowo by the term ‘kanda’. This was conveyed by Bahlil during the 18th HIPMI National Conference in Bandarlampung, Lampung. Bahlil initially greeted the Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly, Ahmad Muzani, first. He said he wished to call Muzani ‘kanda’ to seem more familiar. “My respected Speaker of the MPR, my brother Mr Ahmad Muzani, perhaps to be more familiar we can call him Kanda Ahmad Muzani,” Bahlil said in his speech. Bahlil explained that the term ‘kanda’ was actually pioneered within HIPMI. Therefore, he asked for permission to call Prabowo by the same term. “We have an aspiration, Sir, they say the ‘kanda dinda’ address actually originated in HIPMI, Sir,” he revealed. “If you are willing, I ask your permission, without reducing any respect, we would also like to call you Kakanda, Mr President Prabowo Subianto,” Bahlil continued. Bahlil then asked for the approval of HIPMI members to call Prabowo ‘kanda’. They unanimously answered in agreement. He explained that the ‘kanda’ nickname was intended to make the relationship feel closer. “So we are closer, Sir, so that the processing goes in quickly,” said Bahlil, who was met with a roar of applause from HIPMI members.