Prabowo to Verrel Bramasta: Are you an Indonesian citizen?

A humorous moment occurred when President Prabowo Subianto delivered a speech at the inauguration of the operationalisation of 1,061 Merah Putih village/urban cooperatives in Nganjuk, East Java, on Saturday (16/5).

The funny moment happened when Prabowo interacted with Verrel Bramasta, a member of Commission X of the DPR RI. Prabowo asked about the citizenship of the man who also works as an artist.

Initially, Prabowo greeted a number of ministers, heads of agencies, and also the leaders of the MPR and DPD RI, as well as the leaders of the DPR RI commissions who were present at the event. Prabowo then greeted the members of the DPR who were present, one of whom was Verrel Bramasta.

“Member of Commission X of the DPR RI, Mr. Verrel Bramasta,” said Prabowo.

After being called by Prabowo, Verrel stood up and gave a salute to Prabowo, and at this moment Prabowo asked.

“Are you an Indonesian citizen?” Prabowo asked Verrel.

The joke made by Prabowo was then met with laughter from the guests. Verrel then replied: “Yes, Mr. President, an Indonesian citizen.”

“What is your ancestry? What is your ancestry?” Prabowo asked again.

Then Verrel replied that he was of Balinese and East Javanese descent. However, Prabowo then misheard Verrel’s words, thinking he said he was of Belgian descent.

“Belgium? Bali? Is there anyone from Bali who looks like you?” said Prabowo.

Verrel is the son of artists Venna Melinda and Ivan Fadilla Soedjoko.