Convey Condolences, Puan Maharani Remembers 'Om' Tjahjo Kumolo Like Her Own Family

JAKARTA - The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, expressed her condolences for the passing of the Minister for Administrative Reform and Bureaucratic Reform (MenPAN-RB), Tjahjo Kumolo. Tjahjo died after undergoing intensive treatment at the Abdi Waluyo Hospital in Jakarta. "Innalillahi wainnailaihi rajiun. I lost one of the most influential seniors in my political career to this day. Deepest condolences to the bereaved family. Hopefully he will be husnul khatimah," said Puan in her statement, Friday, July 1.

In Puan's eyes, Tjahjo is a mature politician as well as a senior who provides many examples and lessons for his juniors, including himself. In fact, Puan considers Tjahjo like her own family.

"I am very sad, Pak Tjahjo is like family. I call him 'Om' because I have known him since I was little as a friend of my parents. Even the children call him grandpa," he said.

The chairman of the PDIP DPP also remembers Tjahjo as a senior figure who is simple, calm and has high emotional intelligence and spirituality.

“When the PDI-P was outside the government, it happened that Om Tjahjo was the Secretary General of the Party and the head of a faction in the DPR. Om Tjahjo's calmness and political maturity were very visible when we, who were outside the government at that time, had to make important decisions," he recalled.

Puan also remembered how Tjahjo continued to accompany her when she was still the Chair of the PDIP Faction of the DPR in the 2012 period.

“When I replaced Om Tjahjo as Faction Leader, he always accompanied me from the start. Even his room was intentionally opposite mine, so that there was always a quick coordination regarding the faction's attitude, which at that time was very crucial," said Puan.