Celebrating Birthday, Zulkifli Hasan Purchases Goods from 19 MSMEs to Distribute for Free
Residents around the Graha Mandiri building in Jakarta showed great enthusiasm as the Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, purchased all available food and drinks to be distributed for free. This gesture was carried out in conjunction with his birthday.
A total of 19 MSME traders around Jalan Dr. Kusuma Atmaja benefited from the event. Their goods, ranging from siomay, Madura duck, fried snacks, pecel lele, ketoprak, chicken noodles, soto, and meatballs to various beverages, were all bought to be given away to the public.
Posters were seen attached to the traders’ carts, reading: ‘FREE FOOD TODAY, treated by Pak Zulhas for his birthday. Signed, Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs - 3rd Floor Residents, Graha Mandiri’.
Citizens flocked to enjoy the free meals. Employees, security personnel, cleaning staff, scavengers, online motorcycle taxi drivers, and passers-by all participated in the treat.
One online taxi driver expressed both surprise and joy at receiving free food amidst his activities delivering passengers. He noted that he was initially just passing by when he noticed the crowd around the food vendors.
“At first, I thought there was an event. It turns out the food is free, treated by Pak Zulhas because it is his birthday. Alhamdulillah, a blessing today. Thank you, Pak Zulhas,” he said in a written statement on Monday (31/8/2026).
The traders also admitted to being shocked when they were suddenly approached and informed that their entire stock would be purchased. Ray, a fried snack vendor who has long operated in the area, said he did not expect such an unexpected windfall.
“Alhamdulillah, I am very happy. The goods are sold out, and the customers are happy too. Happy birthday, Pak Zulhas, may you remain healthy and your fortune continue to flow,” said Ray.
The atmosphere around the carts became lively. On his birthday, Zulhas chose to share in a simple manner. Residents arrived in turns to collect food, while the traders were busy serving customers without needing to accept any payment. Expressions of gratitude were continuously directed towards Zulhas from both the residents and the traders.