Gibran responds to JK's role in making Jokowi President: Mr JK is my idol

Sorong, Southwest Papua (ANTARA) - Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka views the 10th and 12th Vice President of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla, as his idol, in response to Jusuf Kalla’s statement a few days ago regarding his role in making Joko Widodo the 7th President of Indonesia.

Gibran acknowledged that JK is indeed highly experienced, particularly in politics, and has made significant contributions in conflict areas.

“Mr JK is my senior. Mr JK is also my mentor. He is very experienced. He has a lot of achievements and contributions to this nation, especially in conflict areas,” said Gibran when providing a statement after inspecting Sorong District General Hospital, Southwest Papua, on Wednesday.

Gibran also regarded JK as his senior and mentor, as well as a role model for everyone. Because of JK’s role, Gibran expressed his gratitude for the input and evaluations from the Chairman General of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI).

“So he (JK) is a role model for us all and yes, I am very grateful for the inputs and also the evaluations from Mr JK,” he stated.

Gibran even considered JK, who accompanied his father, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), as the 12th Vice President of Indonesia, as his idol.

“Mr JK is my idol,” he added.

Gibran’s statement is a response to the press statement by Jusuf Kalla or familiarly known as JK, who stated that he had an important role in Joko Widodo’s (Jokowi) political career from becoming the 7th President of Indonesia.

JK mentioned that he was the one who submitted Jokowi’s name to the General Chair of PDIP, Megawati Soekarnoputri, for the Jakarta regional head election (pilkada). JK even said that Jokowi became the 7th President of Indonesia because of him.

When accompanying Jokowi as the 12th Vice President in the 2014-2019 government period, JK claimed that he was asked by Megawati to guide Jokowi.