Contents of Megawati's Letter to Iran's Leader Mojtaba Khamenei

Indonesia’s fifth president and chair of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), Megawati Soekarnoputri, has sent a congratulatory letter to Mojtaba Khamenei following his appointment as Iran’s new Supreme Leader, succeeding his late father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The letter was conveyed by Megawati during a recent meeting with Mohammad Boroujerdi, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Indonesia.

“This is the second letter I have sent. I am pleased that Iran now has a leader once again,” Megawati stated in a written statement on Sunday, 15 March.

In the letter shared with media, Megawati extended her congratulations on Mojtaba Khamenei’s selection as Supreme Leader through a democratic vote by the 88 members of the Assembly of Experts. She noted that the selection took place amid challenges and a less than fully conducive environment, yet Khamenei had succeeded in earning the considerable trust of Iran’s religious scholars and people.

“This election stands as clear testimony to Your Excellency’s leadership, capability, depth of knowledge, and steadfastness, enabling him to transcend the barriers of differences and unite Iran’s leadership,” she stated in the letter.

Megawati also referenced her father, Sukarno, Indonesia’s founding president. She noted that Sukarno consistently emphasised the importance of national unity, national self-reliance, and steadfastness in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and independence.

According to her, Sukarno, throughout his entire struggle, continuously fostered brotherhood among the nations of Asia, Africa, and Latin America with the aim of building a new world order free from all forms of imperialism and colonialism.

This struggle, she continued, was built through the Asian-African Conference in 1955, the Non-Aligned Movement in 1961, the Conference Against Foreign Military Bases in 1965, and the Conference of the New Emerging Forces (Conefo) in 1965.

“In my view, all of Sukarno’s geopolitical thinking represents a genuine effort to achieve equality, justice, and accompanied by such a powerful vision for world peace,” Megawati said.

Reflecting on the various challenges facing the Iranian people and nation, Megawati observed that Iran’s long history of civilisation has shaped its character and remarkable fighting spirit. Indeed, she remarked, amid various pressures and economic sanctions that have persisted for so long, Iran has emerged as a nation sovereign in politics, self-sufficient in economics, and distinctive in culture—what is known as Sukarno’s Trisakti (three pillars).

“With these considerations, I am convinced that the trust granted to Your Excellency can continue the legacy of previous leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s revolution who shared the vision of Sukarno’s thinking, particularly in the struggle to uphold global justice, resist submission to neo-imperialist forces, and uphold the dignity and sovereignty of nations,” she stated.

Megawati said that as a nation, she believes the world should be built upon the principles of peaceful coexistence, equality, justice, and humanity without divisions. These principles reflect the philosophy and ideology of our nation, Pancasila, and are enshrined in our constitution.

“Our nation has always believed that independence is the right of all nations and therefore colonialism in the world must be eliminated because it is contrary to humanity and justice. These values have shaped our attitude to take an active stand against various forms of oppression and new imperialism,” she said.

Megawati noted that in his 1960 speech to the United Nations (UN) titled “To Build the World Anew,” Sukarno warned the world that imperialism was not dead, as it would always emerge in different forms and characteristics.

Sukarno also emphasised the importance of revitalising the UN so it could serve as an authoritative global institution capable of upholding justice and functioning as an equitable forum for countries worldwide.

On this basis, Megawati expressed hope that the UN could play an active role in upholding human dignity by halting all forms of unilateral invasion, respecting the sovereignty of independent nations, and resolving conflicts through constructive dialogue mechanisms.

“It is high time that the UN took on a central role through the support of Asian, African, and Latin American nations, which have long yearned for a world free from all forms of exploitation,” she said.

“For we are all one humanity inhabiting the same planet Earth, and created by Almighty God. A world of justice such as this is what I believe can unite our shared vision,” she added.

At the conclusion of her letter, Megawati reiterated her congratulations on the position now held by Mojtaba Khamenei, noting that he has received considerable trust and that great challenges await him.

“I thus respectfully convey my sincere prayer that Your Excellency shall always receive strength, wisdom, and divine guidance to lead Iran out of crisis, to guide the Iranian nation towards just and dignified progress, and to build a more peaceful and constructive world for all humanity,” she concluded.