Pratikno Remembers Rachmat Gobel at Seventh-Day Memorial Service

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (PMK) Pratikno remembered the late Rachmat Gobel at a memorial service marking the seventh day of his passing. The event was held at the late Gobel’s residence on Jalan Prof. Dr. Soepomo, South Jakarta, on Thursday (16/7). Pratikno said he knew the late Rachmat Gobel closely, noting that the friendship extended to their children and grandchildren. “We met the late [Rachmat Gobel] on 20 May at the DPR building. We took a photo together and talked about our grandchildren who are friends,” Pratikno said. Pratikno also recalled working with the late Rachmat Gobel in the first cabinet of President Joko Widodo’s administration. He said Gobel’s duties as Trade Minister were not easy, with many responsibilities directly affecting the wider public. “Being Trade Minister is very difficult. Rising oil prices, rising rice prices, rising chilli prices become the Trade Minister’s problems. Falling exports become the Trade Minister’s problem,” he said. Pratikno described the late Rachmat Gobel as a highly professional individual who, throughout his life, firmly upheld ethics, integrity, and religious values. Rachmat Gobel passed away in the early hours of Friday (10/7) at Brawijaya Hospital, South Jakarta, at the age of 63. The NasDem politician had a background as a businessman and politician. Besides holding important positions in parliament, Gobel was also the President Commissioner of several Panasonic companies. He served as Trade Minister under President Joko Widodo from 2014 to 2015, preceding Thomas Trikasih Lembong. He was buried at the Kalibata National Main Heroes Cemetery in South Jakarta on Friday afternoon. The burial procession was conducted with military honours as a form of state recognition for his service to the nation.