Remembering Rachmat Gobel, Who Has Passed Away

House of Representatives member Rachmat Gobel has passed away. Relatives paid their respects as they visited the family home to mourn.

“Our deepest condolences. Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un. H Rachmat Gobel has returned to the mercy of Allah on Friday, 10 July 2026, at 03.20 West Indonesia Time, in Jakarta,” said NasDem Party Executive Board Chairman Willy Aditya on Friday (10/7/2026).

Rachmat Gobel was born in Gorontalo on 3 September 1962. Besides being a politician, the late lawmaker was also known as a businessman.

Rachmat Gobel served as Minister of Trade during the presidency of Joko Widodo (Jokowi) from 2014 to 2015. He was currently a member of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) from the NasDem Party.

Rachmat Gobel was the fifth child of Drs H Thayeb Mohammad Gobel and Annie Nento Gobel.

“From childhood, he was raised to be the heir and leader of the Gobel Business Group, founded and led by his parents. He worked his way through various positions in the company, from sweeping factory floors while still in junior high school to managerial roles,” the NasDem website wrote.

Rachmat Gobel earned a bachelor’s degree in International Trade from Chuo University in Tokyo, Japan, at the age of 24. After graduating, he undertook work practice at the Matsushita Group near the city of Osaka, Japan.

In 1989, Rachmat returned to Jakarta to join the Gobel Business Group. He became Assistant to the President Director at PT National Gobel, now known as PT Panasonic Manufacturing Indonesia.

Jokowi Remembers Rachmat Gobel

Relatives flocked to the family home to pay their respects, among them Indonesia’s seventh President, Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

Jokowi remembered Rachmat Gobel as a good minister. He described him as a hard worker.

“Pak Rachmat Gobel was a good minister, a hardworking minister,” said Jokowi.

Surya Paloh Says Rachmat Gobel’s Passing Was Sudden

NasDem Party Chairman Surya Paloh said he had lost a dear friend. He described Rachmat Gobel’s passing as sudden.

“Today, I personally, my family, the wider NasDem family and the friends of the late Bung Dr Rachmat Gobel are deeply grieving, because his passing was so sudden,” said Surya Paloh at Rachmat Gobel’s family home in the Tebet area of South Jakarta.

He said Rachmat Gobel was a sociable person with extensive connections both at home and abroad. He noted that Rachmat Gobel was frequently tasked with maintaining good relations between Indonesia and Japan.

“He was given the trust to serve as Deputy Speaker of our House of Representatives, and also once served as Minister of Trade of this Republic. He was a hard worker, easy to get along with, and I feel I have lost a younger brother,” he said.

CT Recalls His Final Moments with Rachmat Gobel

Chairman of CT Corp, Chairul Tanjung (CT), remembered his last embrace with Rachmat Gobel some time ago. CT said he and Rachmat Gobel had met about two weeks earlier.

“Our last communication was about two to three weeks ago. We gathered with senior indigenous businessmen who had once been active in government. We met for a meal at my office. I remember clearly how tightly he hugged me. But I didn’t think anything of it — we were just chatting casually, laughing together,” said CT after paying his respects at the family home in Tebet, South Jakarta.

CT recounted that he and Rachmat Gobel were businessmen of the same generation. The former Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs revealed his very close relationship with Rachmat Gobel.

“We were contemporaries. Practically one generation, both of us in business. And we were both active in government. Our relationship was very good,” he said.

CT then expressed his profound grief over Rachmat Gobel’s death, saying he felt the loss of a dear friend.

“Of course we mourn his passing, the loss of my friend. Pak Rachmat Gobel — may he, God willing, have a good end,” said CT.

Pramono Remembers Rachmat Gobel as a Unifier of Many Political Groups

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung said Rachmat Gobel was a friendly figure who cared deeply for others. According to him, Rachmat Gobel’s passing is a great loss to many circles.

“He was a very friendly person, caring towards others, a genuinely good man. And of course we have all lost someone who was a unifying figure for many groups in the political world,” he said.

Pramono recounted Rachmat Gobel’s significant role in strengthening relations between Indonesia and Japan. He described Rachmat Gobel’s good relations with the Japanese side as something special.

“Pak Rachmat Gobel had a particular distinction, especially his ties with Japan. When I served as Cabinet Secretary, he was among those who built good relations with the community in Japan, and that brought mutual benefits and advantages,” he explained.

JK Remembers Rachmat Gobel

Indonesia’s tenth and twelfth Vice President, Jusuf Kalla (JK), attended the funeral of DPR member Rachmat Gobel. JK remembered Rachmat Gobel as someone who was always punctual.

“He was always diligent and punctual in attending events, and kind to everyone. On top of that, his knowledge was quite extensive because he spent a long time studying abroad,” JK recalled at the Kalibata Heroes’ Cemetery in South Jakarta.

JK described Rachmat Gobel as a figure with a background in both politics and business, and a friendly person.

“Pak Rachmat was a very good, friendly man. With his background as a businessman and also a politician, much like myself,” he said.

Saan Mustopa mourns the Loss of Rachmat Gobel

Deputy Speaker of the DPR RI, Saan Mustopa, expressed his condolences over Rachmat Gobel’s death. He said he felt the loss of a dedicated figure.

“Of course the House has suffered a great loss, the loss of his presence. He was a figure full of dedication. The way he dedicated himself to carrying out the duties of the House was truly extraordinary,” said Saan.

Saan remembered Rachmat Gobel’s contributions in the DPR. Rachmat Gobel had served as Deputy Speaker of the DPR for the 2019-2024 term.

“The late Pak Rachmat Gobel went straight into the House leadership as Deputy Speaker of the DPR RI, and in his second term he was a member of Commission V. The House has truly lost him,” he said.

Rachmat Gobel Laid to Rest at Kalibata Heroes’ Cemetery

Rachmat Gobel was buried at the Kalibata Heroes’ Cemetery (TMP) in South Jakarta. The Red-and-White flag was seen draped over his coffin as it entered his final resting place.

The family’s tears accompanied the burial. Recitations of the tahlil could be heard as the body was laid to rest.