Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has not dismissed the country's energy minister as the Southeast Asian nation deals with fuel shortages at private gas stations, contrary to social media posts that shared a video claiming it showed Bahlil Lahadalia giving a tearful farewell speech to his ministry colleagues. The video was actually taken when Bahlil handed over his post as the Minister of Investment in August 2024, when he was appointed to his current role.
"Bahlil has officially been dismissed from his position," reads the Indonesian-language text overlaid on a TikTok video shared on November 11, 2025.
The video shows Bahlil Lahadalia speaking from a podium and thanking colleagues for their support as he wipes away tears.
It surfaced against the background of fuel shortages at private gas stations in Indonesia, blamed in part on government import restrictions.
Bahlil, as Indonesia's Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, has drawn the brunt of public criticism and was targeted by social media users who created memes mocking him (archived here and here).
The same video was also shared in similar posts on TikTok .
"Congratulations to Mr Prabowo for firing Bahlil, Bahlil cried right after being dismissed," read a comment on one of the posts, referring to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
Another said: "Please carry it out immediately, Mr Prabowo."
But there have been no official reports of Bahlil being fired. And, as of November 11, he remains listed as the...
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has not dismissed the country's energy minister as the Southeast Asian nation deals with fuel shortages at private gas stations, contrary to social media posts...