Rachmat Gobel in JK's Eyes: Almost the Same as Me

Former Vice President Jusuf Kalla attended the funeral of politician and businessman Rachmat Gobel, who was buried at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in Jakarta on Friday afternoon, 10 July 2026. Kalla, who is widely known as JK, remembered Gobel as someone who bore similarities to himself.

“Mr Rachmat was a very good, friendly person. With a background as both a businessman and a politician, he was almost the same as me,” he said at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery, Jakarta.

In JK’s eyes, Rachmat was a valuable individual during his lifetime and was highly knowledgeable due to his education abroad. He also praised Rachmat’s character, noting he was diligent and punctual when attending various events.

“And of course, he was very meritorious; he was friends with everyone. He understood issues and was very friendly, that was his hallmark,” JK said.

Rachmat Gobel’s funeral was conducted with military honours by soldiers from the 1st Jakarta Garrison Permanent Command. Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Saan Mustopa 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 for the 2019-2024 period and as Minister of Trade from 2014 to 2015. He was awarded the Bintang Mahaputera Adipradana. He passed away at Brawijaya Tebet Hospital on Friday, 10 July 2026, at 3.20 a.m. Western Indonesia Time due to illness.