Zulhas Curhat Was Almost Appointed As Coordinating Minister For The Economy Because Of Bahlil

Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan (Photo: Doc. VOI)

Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan told the story behind his appointment as a minister in the Red and White Cabinet of the Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka Government.

Zulhas, as he is familiarly called, said that before serving as Coordinating Minister for Food, he was almost appointed as Coordinating Minister for the Economy on the advice of Bahlil Lahadalia.

Actually, this is a little disclosure, actually Mr. Bahlil (Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources) was offered (to serve as) the Minister of the Economy. But Mr. Bahlil is sophisticated. He threw it. "Don't sir. Don't me, Mr. Zul. That's the former Minister of Trade, the former Minister of Forestry, the former Chairman of the MPR, sir. So if the Coordinating Minister is suitable for Mr. Zul. (Bahlil) throws it at me," said Zulhas at the Town Hall Meeting for One Year at the Coordinating Ministry for Food, Jakarta, Tuesday, October 21.

Two days before the inauguration, Zulhas admitted that he received a call from the Daily Chairperson of the Gerindra Party DPP Sufmi Dasco Ahmad to sign the document as Coordinating Minister for the Economy.

However, before signing the document, Zulhas came to President Prabowo Subianto. He admitted that he offered to serve as Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs.

"I went before the elected president, 'Sir, can I suggest? I never asked, this time. 'What is Mr. Zul?' If possible, sir, I'm in the food sector. If I may, if you are willing. Thank God he is trusted to be given the food sector," he said.

Zulhas revealed the reason for choosing the position of Coordinating Minister for Food rather than the Coordinating Minister for the Economy. He said this was because of his family's background as a farmer.

"Why? This is my father's promise, sir. I am from a farmer's family. So every time you go to our village. Every day you pray to the mosque. So when you come home from the mosque. My father always says that. Look at your brothers and sisters. Go dark, go home dark. The body is dark. The third is dark sustenance, "he said.

"Father, I said, 'even though your father is difficult. You go to school. But if you succeed in remembering. Help me, brothers and sisters. So ladies and gentlemen until today. I still remember my father's voice," he continued.