Megawati Emphasises Spirit of Reconciliation in Presidential Lecture in Timor-Leste

Former Indonesian President and PDIP Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri emphasised the spirit of reconciliation during a Presidential Lecture titled ‘Two Nations, One Shared Aspiration’ in Dili, Timor-Leste, on Thursday, 9 July 2026. Speaking before President José Ramos-Horta, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, and other senior officials, Megawati asserted that the relationship between Indonesia and Timor-Leste has transcended past conflicts, now resting on the principles of remembering without resentment and forgiving without forgetting. She stated that historical wounds have been transformed into a strong fraternal bond, supported by the moral courage of two nations destined to live side by side as equal neighbours.

Megawati recalled the historic moment 24 years ago, at midnight on 20 May 2002 in Padang Tasitolu, when she attended the restoration of independence ceremony for Timor-Leste as President of Indonesia. She candidly shared her inner turmoil at witnessing the Indonesian Red and White flag being lowered, a flag that held deep emotional significance as it was first sewn by her mother, Fatmawati. Megawati noted that many questioned her presence at the time, viewing the moment as a farewell. However, she clarified that it was not a tragedy of separation but the birth of Timor-Leste as a sibling to Indonesia.

During the lecture, Megawati also addressed several strategic issues for the future of both nations. She encouraged Timorese women to engage actively in decision-making spaces, sharing her experience as Indonesia’s first female president and asserting that the constitution guarantees equal rights for all citizens. She further highlighted the need for Timor-Leste to prepare strict regulations to prevent the misuse of artificial intelligence, recounting a personal experience in Indonesia where her face was manipulated using AI technology for unauthorised advertising.

In her capacity as Chair of the Steering Committee of Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Megawati offered research collaboration to President Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão to develop a joint economic growth corridor connecting East Nusa Tenggara, Dili, and Papua. She also proposed party-to-party cooperation, offering leadership training and cadre development programmes between PDI Perjuangan and political parties in Timor-Leste. Concluding her lecture, Megawati urged the younger generations of both nations to institutionalise their fraternal ties through the swift completion of a fair border agreement, student and teacher exchange programmes, and optimised cooperation within the ASEAN framework, where Timor-Leste is now a permanent member with Indonesia’s full support.