Jakarta. Former trade minister Enggartiasto Lukita on Friday paid tribute to Rachmat Gobel, remembering the late politician and businessman as a longtime friend whose career closely paralleled his own across business, government, and politics.

Gobel died Friday morning at the age of 63, news that stunned many of those closest to him because he had remained active until his final days.

Enggartiasto said he first learned of Gobel's death from a television news ticker before heading to the funeral home in South Jakarta's Tebet neighborhood to pay his respects.

"I believe many people were deeply shocked to hear that our friend, Mr. Rachmat Gobel, has passed away before us," Enggartiasto said.

The two men shared remarkably similar career paths. Gobel served as Indonesia's trade minister from 2014 to 2015, while Enggartiasto held the same post from 2016 to 2019. Both also built successful business careers before entering politics and later served as members of the House of Representatives.

"I knew him very well personally. He was the trade minister before me and later also served as a member of the House of Representatives," Enggartiasto said.

Their friendship began long before either entered public office, when both were active in the business community. It endured as they each went on to serve in the cabinet of former president Joko Widodo, albeit at different times.

Enggartiasto described Gobel's passing as a major loss for Indonesia, praising him as a humble and courteous leader who made significant contributions to both business and public service.

"He was known as a humble and kind-hearted person. We often joked that he was almost too kind for politics because he was always courteous and accommodating," he said.

According to Enggartiasto, their relationship extended well beyond professional ties. They frequently exchanged views on business and national issues, including during the period when Gobel decided to enter politics and run for a seat in the House of Representatives.

He said Gobel's extensive business experience proved invaluable during his tenure as trade minister and later as a deputy speaker of the House of Representatives.