Bahlil Lahadalia, the Chairman of the Golkar Party and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, has reacted with good humor to the viral song ‘Kanda My Little Bolu Ketan’, which has gained significant traction on social media for its catchy refrain, “MBG, Mas Bahlil Ganteng” (Mas Bahlil is handsome).
The minister expressed genuine curiosity about the mastermind behind the track and extended an open invitation to meet the creator. “I would like to ask for help in inviting the person involved, should they be willing. I want to invite them for a chat and a meal because I am truly curious,” Bahlil said, as quoted from a post on Raffi Ahmad’s Instagram account on Saturday (May 30).
During a lighthearted conversation with Raffi Ahmad, who serves as the President’s Special Envoy for Youth and Art Workers, Bahlil discussed the viral sensation. “It feels so natural. I am personally curious about who created this. If possible, Fi (Raffi), please help me find them; I would love to meet them. I truly appreciate the creativity of today’s youth,” Bahlil added.
Addressing the nature of public life, Bahlil noted that being a public official comes with the inherent risk of receiving various forms of criticism and feedback, including through creative outlets like music. However, he emphasized the importance of ensuring that social media expression remains respectful and free from sensitive issues involving ethnicity, religion, race, and inter-group relations, known in Indonesia as SARA.
“My only advice is that in this democratic era, social media is vital. However, it should be used responsibly. For instance, we must avoid SARA content, as it can trigger divisions among fellow citizens. Creativity should always be valued as long as it remains within proper and ethical boundaries,” he remarked.
According to investigations by Katadata.co.id, the song was released under the label of the Instagram account @VOKALIZ_NETIZEN. The lyrics were creatively compiled from viral netizen comments, featuring lines such as “MBG, Mas Bahlil ganteng” and witty wordplay like “What is the sweetest fruit? Buahlil.”
The song has become an internet sensation, with many users employing it as a backing track for their content. For others, the tune has proven to be an unstoppable earworm. Content creator Sania Leonardo echoed this sentiment on her personal Instagram account, @sanialeonardo, jokingly pleading, “Don’t memorize it, don’t memorize it,” in response to the song’s incredibly catchy nature.
Summary
Bahlil Lahadalia, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, has expressed his amusement and curiosity regarding the viral song “Kanda My Little Bolu Ketan,” which features the catchy refrain “MBG, Mas Bahlil Ganteng.” He has officially requested the help of Raffi Ahmad to locate and invite the creator of the track for a casual meeting and meal to show his appreciation for their creativity. Bahlil emphasized that he values the ingenuity shown by young creators in today’s digital landscape.
While acknowledging the role of social media in public life, the minister advised that digital expression should remain responsible and avoid sensitive issues related to ethnicity, religion, and race. The viral song, produced by @VOKALIZ_NETIZEN, compiles various internet comments and wordplay into an incredibly catchy track. It has since gained widespread popularity, with many content creators using it as a soundtrack for their own social media posts.