Rachmad Gobel (born 3 September 1962) is an Indonesian businessman and politician from Gorontalo.[1] His family controls the company, Gobel Group which is now called PT. Panasonic Gobel Indonesia, an Indonesian division of Panasonic. He is also the former Minister of Trade[2] and the Indonesian President's Special Envoy to Japan.[3][4] Currently, he is the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Rachmad Gobel | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Third Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
| In office 1 October 2019 – 1 October 2024 | |
| Speaker | Puan Maharani |
| Member of the House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office 1 October 2019 | |
| Constituency | Gorontalo |
| Special Envoy of the President of Indonesia to Japan | |
| In office 2017 – 30 September 2019 | |
| 33rd Minister of Trade of Indonesia | |
| In office 27 October 2014 – 12 August 2015 | |
| President | Joko Widodo |
| Preceded by | Muhammad Lutfi |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Trikasih Lembong |
| Member of National Committee on Innovation | |
| In office 2010–2014 | |
| President | Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono |
| Chair | Muhammad Zuhal |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 3 September 1962 Gorontalo Regency, North Sulawesi, Indonesia |
| Political party | Nasdem Party (2016–present) |
| Spouse | Retno Damayanti |
| Children | 2 |
Early life
editGobel is the fifth child and first male son of entrepreneur Thayeb Mohammad Gobel and his wife Annie Nento Gobel from Gorontalo. Thayeb Gobel was well known as the founder of the business group and pioneered electronics industry in Indonesia. From childhood he was educated to become the heir and leader of the Gobel business group, founded and led by his father. After graduating from high school in Jakarta in 1981, Rachmad Gobel chose to continue his studies in Japan at the Chuo University. After four years he completed his studies at the Department of International Trade.
Education
editIn 1984, Gobel attended Chuo University in Tokyo, Japan where he graduated with a Bachelors of International Trade Studies. In 2002, he received an honorary Doctorate from the Takushoku University. In 2014, he received another honorary doctorate from Takushoku University.
Business career
editIn 1989, Gobel returned to Indonesia and was appointed assistant to the President Director of PT. Panasonic Gobel (now PT. Panasonic Indonesia). The company is a joint venture between Japan with Indonesia in the field of industrial manufacturing of electronics, which was established in 1970. In 1991, Gobel was officially appointed as member of the board of directors to oversee company's management planning.
In 1993, he was appointed Vice President Director of PT. National Gobel (now PT. Panasonic Manufacturing Indonesia). Since 2002, Rachmad has served as Commissioner of PT. National Gobel (now PT. Panasonic Manufacturing Indonesia). He is also the principle at PT. Apple Indonesia.
Chamber of Commerce Indonesia
editIn 2002, Gobel sat as Chairman of Kadin Indonesia Field of Metal, Machinery, Chemicals and Electronics. When a change of leadership occurred in Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Indonesia the chairman Mohamad Suleman Hidayat in February 2004 Rachmad was reappointed for another four years.
Political career
editMinister for Trade
editGobel was appointed by President Joko Widodo as Trade Minister in the Working Cabinet in 2014. He was one of the ministers selected from a professional representative. One year after his appointment, due to a cabinet reshuffle, he was removed as minister. He was replaced by Thomas Trikasih Lembong.[5][6]
House of Representatives
editGobel ran for a legislative seat in the 2019 elections, and was elected into the People's Representative Council representing Gorontalo after winning 146,067 seats.[7] He was appointed as one of the body's deputy speakers.[8] He was reelected for a second term in the 2024 election with 195,332 votes.[9]
References
edit- ^ Johnson Simanjuntak, ed. (November 29, 2017). "Dihadapan 1000 Pengusaha Jepang Rachmad Gobel Tak Mau TKI Disebut Bergaji Murah". Tribunnews.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved December 28, 2018.
- ^ Lynda Hasibuan (December 7, 2018). "Rachmad Gobel Sebut Pelemahan Rupiah Bukan Musibah Besar". CNBC Indonesia (in Indonesian). Retrieved December 28, 2018.
- ^ Genta Tenri Mawangi (December 7, 2018). "Rachmad Gobel: pembukaan ritel Jepang punya nilai tambah" (in Indonesian). Antara. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
- ^ Nabilla Tashandra (December 7, 2018). "Lumine, Pusat Belanja Fesyen Jepang Kini Hadir di Jakarta". Kompas.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved December 28, 2018.
- ^ Choirul Arifin, ed. (September 26, 2016). "Pengusaha Rahmat Gobel Merapat ke Partai Nasdem". Tribunnews.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved December 28, 2018.
- ^ Wike Dita Herlinda (November 24, 2017). "Alasan Rachmad Gobel Boyong Chateraise ke Indonesia". Bisnis.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved December 28, 2018.
- ^ "Daftar Calon Terpilih Anggota DPR RI Pemilu 2019". kpu.go.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved October 4, 2019.
- ^ Nurita, Dewi (October 2, 2019). "Rachmat Gobel, dari Pengusaha Elektronik Kini Wakil Ketua DPR". Tempo (in Indonesian). Retrieved October 4, 2019.
- ^ "Daftar Para Caleg DPR 2024-2029 Terpilih yang Ditetapkan KPU". KOMPAS.com (in Indonesian). August 26, 2024. Retrieved October 1, 2024.