Zulkifli Hasan Remembers Former Aceh Governor Zaini Abdullah

Banda Aceh (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Food and Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Zulkifli Hasan remembered the late former Governor of Aceh, Zaini Abdullah, who died on Saturday, and visited the family home in Aceh Besar district to pay his respects.

“Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun to our friend Zaini Abdullah. I frequently interacted with him when I served as Forestry Minister and he was Governor of Aceh,” Zulkifli Hasan said in Banda Aceh on Saturday.

The statement was made by Zulkifli during his speech at the inauguration of the PAN Aceh Regional Executive Board and District Executive Boards throughout Aceh at the Balai Meuseuraya Aceh in Banda Aceh.

Abu Doto died at the age of 86 in the intensive care unit of Zainoel Abidin Regional General Hospital. He had been receiving treatment at the hospital since 4 June 2026.

Zulkifli recalled the working relationship established when Zaini Abdullah served as Governor of Aceh. According to him, the late governor had requested support on various matters under the authority of the Ministry of Forestry.

“When he was Governor of Aceh, I told him that as long as it was within my authority, I would support it for the progress of Aceh,” he said.

He also remembered the message he once conveyed to Abdullah, urging that Aceh continue to develop and not be left behind by other regions, including the neighbouring province of North Sumatra.

“If possible, it should be more advanced than other regions,” he said.

After attending the PAN Aceh executive board inauguration, Zulkifli Hasan, accompanied by former Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa, departed for Zaini Abdullah’s family home in the Darul Imarah area of Aceh Besar district.

“I am now going to pay my respects at the home of the late Zaini Abdullah,” Zulkifli Hasan said.