Belarusian President Stays at State Palace During Indonesia Visit

There is a notable difference in the state visit of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko to Indonesia. President Lukashenko will spend the night at the State Palace during his stay in the country.

This was confirmed by Foreign Minister Sugiono during a press conference at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Thursday (2/7/2/2026). Sugiono stated that Lukashenko is the first president from a friendly nation to stay at the State Palace.

“At the State Palace. The first president at the State Palace,” said Sugiono.

Visiting heads of state or heads of government from friendly nations typically stay at Wisma Negara. Some leaders also choose to stay in hotels.

Prior to Lukashenko, the last head of government to stay at Wisma Negara was Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. Wisma Negara is located within the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta.

“The last person at Wisma Negara was the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Sen,” Sugiono noted.

Sugiono stated there was no specific underlying reason for Lukashenko’s decision to stay at the State Palace. He suggested it was an act of honouring the visiting dignitary, as Lukashenko expressed a preference for the Palace.

“I believe we are providing an honour, as usually during state visits, other presidents prefer to stay in hotels,” he said.

“But this time, he expressed a desire to stay at the Palace. Initially, it was planned for Wisma Negara, but the President deemed the Palace to be more representative,” Sugiono continued.

President Prabowo is scheduled to receive President Lukashenko at Istana Merdeka this afternoon. Lukashenko’s visit to Indonesia serves as a return visit following President Prabowo Subianto’s trip to Belarus on 15 July 2025. This is Lukashenko’s second visit to Indonesia since 2013.

Lukashenko arrived in Jakarta and was welcomed by Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin on Wednesday (1/7). Sjafrie personally met him upon arrival at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta.

“Representing the President of the Republic of Indonesia, I welcome the presence of the President of the Republic of Belarus, H.E. Alexander Lukashenko, at the Base Ops of Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta, on Wednesday, 1 July 2026,” Sjafrie wrote in a statement on his Instagram account.