Zulhas Buys Out MSME Goods, Surprises Online Taxi Drivers and Scavengers with Free Meals

Smiles could not be hidden from the daily labourers working around the Graha Mandiri Building in Jakarta. Amidst the midday heat and busy routines, online taxi drivers, cleaning staff, and scavengers received an unexpected surprise in the form of free lunches.

This surprise came from the Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkertifli Hasan (Zulhas), who purchased all the culinary goods in the area to celebrate his birthday. From siomay vendors, Madurese duck, fried snacks, pecel lele, ketoprak, chicken noodles, soto, meatballs, to various beverages, all their goods were bought to be treated to the public.

A simple banner and poster reading ‘FREE MEALS TODAY, treated by Mr Zulhas who is having a birthday. Signed, Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs - Residents of 3rd Floor Graha Mandiri’ displayed on the row of food carts immediately caught the attention of residents. It did not take long for orderly queues from various walks of life to form.

One online taxi driver admitted to being shocked when seeing the crowd around the food carts on Jalan Dr. Kusuma Atmaja. He, who was initially just passing through to deliver a passenger, was instead invited to join and enjoy the meal free of charge.

“At first, I thought there was an event. It turns out the food is free, treated by Mr Zulhas because of his birthday. Alhamdulillah, a blessing today. Thank you, Mr Zulhas,” he said.

The vendors also expressed their surprise when they were suddenly approached and informed that all their goods would be purchased. Ray, one of the fried snack vendors who has been selling in the area for a long time, admitted 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 Mr Zulhas, may you stay healthy and your fortune continue to flow,” Ray concluded.