Megawati Meets Timor Leste PM, Proposes Cooperation Involving BRIN-BPIP

Indonesia’s fifth President, Megawati Soekarnoputri, held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, in Palm Springs, Dili, Timor-Leste. Their meeting produced a number of long-term strategic commitments for the future of the younger generation in the region.

The event opened with a warm address from the Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs of Timor-Leste, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, on Friday (10/7/2026). In his report, Kalbuadi Lay specifically praised Megawati’s dynamic and substantive style of communication.

“Many were impressed that Mrs Mega held brief notes, yet the points she delivered at the podium were remarkably broad and profound. We hope the young people of Timor-Leste can learn much from the character of two great leaders, Mr Xanana and Mrs Mega,” said Kalbuadi Lay in a statement received.

Then, in his ceremonial address, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão conveyed deep respect and gratitude for Megawati’s presence. For Xanana, Megawati’s presence in Dili served as a reminder of the most defining moment of his life, namely 20 May 2002, at the ceremony marking the restoration of Timor-Leste’s independence.

“Before thousands of the Timorese people and world leaders such as Kofi Annan and Bill Clinton, your (Megawati’s) presence at that time transformed the moment of independence into an extraordinary moment of reconciliation,” said Xanana.

Xanana emphasised that Megawati’s decision to attend in 2002 sent a powerful message to the world that the new relationship with an independent Timor-Leste was not a loss for Indonesia, but rather a new beginning.

“You showed the world that former adversaries can choose the path of peace and dignity. Today, Timor-Leste has no closer friend than Indonesia,” he added.

Meanwhile, Megawati began her speech by recounting her experience of visiting the Seroja Heroes’ Cemetery (TMP) that morning, where she observed that Dili has become far busier than in the past. Megawati briefly touched upon Indonesia’s first President, Soekarno.

“I often tease Mr Xanana. If he calls prison a ‘closed university’, I tell him he still loses to my father (Bung Karno). Mr Xanana was in Cipinang Prison for 7 years, while my father spent a total of 22 years in prison and was exiled three times,” Megawati quipped.

However, behind the humour, Megawati stressed the importance of steadfastness, courage, and revolutionary patience for a politician and a leader. “Without conviction, a person can become a traitor along the way merely for material gain. We must strive to make our life’s journey meaningful,” asserted the General Chairperson of PDI Perjuangan.

Furthermore, Megawati outlined three concrete cooperation frameworks she proposed to strengthen the foundations of the two countries’ relations going forward: first, maritime and climate change cooperation via BRIN; second, a comparative nationalism study via BPIP; and third, cooperation between political party institutions.

Megawati stated that PDI Perjuangan is opening its doors wide to share experiences of party institutionalisation and cadre development with political parties in Timor-Leste, particularly CNRT.

At the end of her speech, Megawati offered words of motivation so that Timor-Leste never feels small on the geopolitical map. She proposed that the spirit of the Bandung Dasasila be made a permanent mechanism that could be formally raised when Timor-Leste holds the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2029.

“We ourselves determine the future, not others,” Megawati concluded.

Megawati Visits Seroja Heroes’ Cemetery

Before meeting Xanana, Megawati Soekarnoputri visited the Seroja Heroes’ Cemetery (TMP) in Dili. Megawati made the visit in the morning.

Megawati, dressed in a blue woven ikat outfit paired with a white headscarf, arrived at the TMP Seroja complex at around 11.00 local time. She was accompanied by her nieces and nephews, Puti Guntur Soekarno and Romy Soekarno. Megawati proceeded to sign the guest book.

Afterwards, a brief ceremony of tribute was held. Solemnly and reverently, Megawati led a moment of silence, followed by all participants of the pilgrimage.

During the moment, Megawati specifically laid a floral wreath at the TMP Seroja complex. The Chief of Staff of the Timor-Leste Presidency, Henriqueta Maria da Silva, who joined the visit, did the same.

Following the ceremony, Megawati moved towards two graves and scattered flowers over both. She was then seen offering prayers.