AHY Explains SBY's Absence from Annual MPR Session

Democratic Party Chairman Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) has explained the reason his father, Indonesia’s sixth president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), could not attend the annual People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) session today, Friday (14/8). He said his father is currently undergoing a medical examination abroad. AHY, who is also the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, stated that before attending the joint session with the MPR, House of Representatives (DPR), and Regional Representatives Council (DPD) at the parliament complex on Friday morning, he had a video call with SBY. He noted that the series of health checks is proceeding well, although several stages are still ongoing. ‘I just had a video call with him. Alhamdulillah, there is a series of examinations,’ AHY told reporters on the sidelines of entering the plenary session room at the parliament complex, Central Jakarta. According to AHY, the results of the first examination showed good condition, while follow-up checks are still being conducted, and the family asks for prayers that the entire process goes smoothly. ‘The first examination results were good, but there are several subsequent stages still in process. So please pray for Mr SBY’s health and that he can continue his activities,’ said AHY. AHY added that SBY also sent his prayers from afar for Indonesia to become more advanced and its people more prosperous in conjunction with the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia. ‘He is certainly praying from afar that this country, the Indonesia we all love, can become more advanced and its people more prosperous,’ AHY said briefly. News regarding SBY undergoing a health check abroad was previously conveyed by the Democratic Party’s Central Executive Board (DPP). Deputy Chairman of the Democratic Party Benny K. Harman revealed that SBY would not attend several events in the series of the 81st Independence Day celebrations because he is having a health check in the United States. He said SBY is likely to undergo the health check until the end of August 2026. Consequently, SBY will not attend the Annual Session of the MPR RI at the parliament complex or the 81st Independence Day Ceremony at the Merdeka Palace. ‘He is having a check-up in America, until the end of the month,’ said Benny at the parliament complex, Jakarta, Tuesday (11/8). On Friday, the MPR RI, DPR RI, and DPD RI held the Annual Session of the MPR RI and the Joint Session of the DPR RI and DPD RI, which included an agenda for a speech by President Prabowo Subianto to deliver the State Institutions’ Performance Report and the State Address in the context of the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia. In addition to the speech, the government will also screen a video on government performance achievements. The annual session is a state agenda to welcome the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia.