Vice President Gibran: Mr JK is My Idol

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 statements a few days ago regarding his role in making Joko Widodo (Jokowi) 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 many achievements and contributions to this nation, especially in conflict areas,” said Gibran when providing a statement after inspecting Sorong District General Hospital in Southwest Papua, on Wednesday.

Gibran also regarded JK as a senior figure and his mentor, as well as an example for everyone. Due to JK’s role, Gibran expressed his gratitude for the input and evaluation from the Chairman General of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI).

“So he (JK) is an example for us all and yes, I am very grateful for the inputs and also the evaluation 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 up to becoming the 7th President of Indonesia.

JK mentioned that he was the one who submitted Jokowi’s name to the PDI-P General Chair, 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 he was asked by Megawati to guide Jokowi.