Jimly Remembers Rachmat Gobel: A Flexible and Approachable Figure

Former Constitutional Court Chief Justice Jimly Asshiddiqie attended the funeral of politician and businessman Rachmat Gobel, who was buried at Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in Jakarta on Friday afternoon, 10 July 2026. Jimly remembered the NasDem Party politician as a figure who easily mingled with anyone regardless of their economic status. “From the testimony of many people who associated with him, he was a good person. He was wealthy, but not because he was rich did he refuse to associate with those who had nothing. He was close with everyone,” Jimly said after accompanying Rachmat to his final resting place at TMP Kalibata, Jakarta. Jimly also felt fortunate to have known Rachmat, who had visited his residence. He assessed that Rachmat had a flexible personality and was not awkward in socialising. “So to describe him, he was a flexible person,” he said. According to Jimly, Rachmat’s departure felt sudden because he was unaware that Rachmat had a history of heart disease. In light of this, he reminded everyone to prepare themselves as death can come at any time. He then prayed that Rachmat would be granted the best place by God for his services in the business and political worlds. Rachmat Gobel’s funeral was conducted with military honours by soldiers from the 1st Jakarta Garrison Command. Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Saan Mustofa served as the inspector of the ceremony. Rachmat Gobel was born on 3 September 1962 to Thayeb Mohammad Gobel and Annie Noto Gobel. During his lifetime, Rachmat served as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2019 to 2024 and as Minister of Trade from 2014 to 2015. He was also awarded the Bintang Mahaputera Adipradana. He passed away at Brawijaya Tebet Hospital on Friday, 10 July 2026, at 03.20 Western Indonesian Time due to illness.