Content of Mahfud MD's Conversation with Jokowi at Soimah's Child's Wedding Event

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Former Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Polhukam) Mahfud MD has disclosed the content of his conversation when he met Indonesia’s seventh President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the wedding of Soimah Pancawati’s child.

“We talked a lot about our time in the cabinet; my wife and Mrs Jokowi (Iriana) often travelled together, just casual stories like that, nothing heavy,” he said, as quoted in the Terus Terang podcast on the Mahfud MD Official channel, Wednesday (13/5/2026).

Mahfud stated that in the meeting with Jokowi, there was no serious discussion, particularly regarding politics.

“How’s Prof? Still calling him Prof. How are you Prof? Are you well Prof? That’s it, just nostalgic talk, but absolutely no discussion about politics or anything,” he said.

Jokowi is said to have often called Mahfud MD for discussions when he was still Menkopolhukam.

Jokowi also admitted that he had to consult Mahfud on various dynamics while leading.

In addition, Jokowi is described as an unchanged figure who remains humble by Mahfud.

“Yes, he’s still the same, humble as always,” he said.

Mahfud stated that although it was their first meeting in a while, he felt no awkwardness when greeting Jokowi.

“But I saw myself feeling nothing unusual, just respecting him as a friend and former leader, and I saw that he also showed no awkwardness or anything, just the same,” he said.

Mahfud also explained that the meeting with Jokowi was unintentional.

He was one of the guests at Soimah’s wedding event and initially sat with the attending artists and cultural figures.

At the event, Mahfud MD even saw some artists and joked around with them.

However, the event protocol then asked Mahfud MD to move seats, as a special place had been prepared for him.