Prabowo Causes a Stir by Calling Bahlil 'Mas Ganteng'

President-elect Prabowo Subianto created a lively and laughter-filled atmosphere when he greeted Investment Minister and Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Bahlil Lahadalia. The moment occurred during the 28th anniversary celebration of the National Awakening Party (PKB) at the Jakarta Convention Centre (JCC) on Thursday (23/7). Prabowo joked by referring to Bahlil using an acronym currently popular on social media.

During the event, Prabowo initially acknowledged several important figures in attendance, including People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Ahmad Muzani, leaders of the House of Representatives (DPR), and PKB Chairman Muhaimin Iskandar. After greeting these dignitaries, Prabowo’s attention shifted to Bahlil Lahadalia.

‘They say MBG stands for Mas Bahlil Ganteng (Brother Bahlil the Handsome), you really are something,’ Prabowo quipped, to an eruption of laughter and applause from the PKB cadres filling the hall.

Prabowo’s jest referenced a phenomenon that had gone viral across various social media platforms, particularly Instagram and TikTok. A song with the lyrics ‘MBG: Mas Bahlil Ganteng, what is the sweetest fruit? Buaaahhlil, just getting more handsome, my little bolu ketan,’ had become popular. The song’s lyrics are a compilation of various positive and humorous comments from netizens on social media directed at Bahlil.

After delivering the entertaining quip, Prabowo continued his greetings to other attending figures. However, this light-hearted interaction with Bahlil became one of the most attention-grabbing moments, breaking the formal atmosphere of the event.