Rachmat Witoelar

Who is Rachmat Witoelar?

Rachmat Nadi Witoelar Kartaadipoetra or Rachmat Witoelar was the State Minister of Environment of Indonesia in 2004-2009.

Witoelar graduated with a degree in architecture from the Bandung Institute of Technology in 1970. In 1971, he became a Member of Parliament representing the ruling party, Golkar. He was re-elected four times. In 2004, he became an active member of presidential candidate Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's campaign team. When Yudhoyono was elected President, Witoelar was appointed State Minister of Environment.

Rachmat has held various positions in the House of Representatives, including chairman of House Commission V and Commission VI. He was also Golkar Party secretary-general from 1988 to 1993. He served as Indonesian ambassador to Russia and Mongolia from 1993 to 1997.

Witoelar is married to Erna Witoelar. They have three sons. Witoelar was also elected as the president of Thirteenth United Nations Framework Climate Change Conference which was held in Bali, Indonesia.