The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, is back in the public spotlight after his name was widely discussed on social media due to a meme that was considered offensive to him. Instead of getting angry or taking legal action, Bahlil chose an unexpected response, he forgave the creator and distributors of the meme.
“And I think, yes, if there are memes, I forgive them. It's okay. Actually, criticizing policies is fine. But if it's personal, if it's racist, I don't think that's good,” said Bahlil at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Friday (10/24/2025).
Bahlil said that he had been accustomed to being insulted since he was a child. He recounted his origins as a villager and not from a family of officials.
“I have indeed been accustomed to being insulted since I was a child. Because I am not the child of an official, I am the child of people from the village. My mother was only a laundry worker in people's homes, my father was a construction worker,” he said.
“So this insulting has been happening since I was in elementary school, when I was still a child. So in my opinion, it's okay,” continued Bahlil.
Bahlil's move has sparked mixed reactions online. Many netizens have praised his calmness and forgiving attitude, calling him an example of an official who does not easily get emotional amid intense public criticism.
Some even view this story as “the coolest plot twist in the political world this week.”
Bahlil's attitude demonstrates that in this fast-paced, emotionally charged digital age, humor and forgiveness can be a form of strength in themselves. Perhaps it's true what they say: not everything that goes viral needs to be met with anger sometimes, a smile and a cup of coffee are enough.
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