Megawati Writes to Mojtaba Khamenei Following His Appointment as Supreme Leader of Iran
Former Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri has sent a letter to Mojtaba Khamenei following his appointment as Supreme Leader of Iran. In her message, delivered through the Iranian Ambassador to Indonesia some time ago, Megawati discussed the importance of national sovereignty.
Megawati’s congratulations were conveyed through the Iranian Embassy on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, when Iranian Ambassador to Indonesia Mohammad Boroujerdi visited the General Chair of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) at her residence in Menteng, Central Jakarta.
“This selection took place amidst various challenges and a situation that was not entirely conducive, yet Your Excellency has been able to obtain great confidence from the clerics and people of Iran. This selection bears witness to Your Excellency’s leadership, competence, depth of knowledge, and steadfastness, enabling you to transcend the barriers of differences and unite Iran’s leadership,” Megawati stated in her letter, as seen by detik.com on Sunday, 15 March 2026.
Megawati subsequently referenced her father’s message, President Sukarno, on the importance of national unity and maintaining national sovereignty. Sukarno, Megawati emphasised, opposed all forms of imperialism and colonialism.
“Sukarno, the Proclamator, the Father of the Indonesian Nation, the First President of the Republic of Indonesia, who is also my father, always emphasised the importance of national unity, national self-reliance, and steadfastness in maintaining the nation’s sovereignty and independence. Throughout his entire struggle, Sukarno continually fostered brotherhood among the nations of Asia, Africa, and Latin America to build a new world order by freeing themselves from all forms of imperialism and colonialism,” Megawati said.
“This struggle was built through the Asia-Africa 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,” she added.
Megawati viewed Sukarno’s geopolitical thinking as an effort to realise equality, justice, and accompanied by a strong vision for world peace. In her message, Megawati highlighted Iran’s character and fighting spirit to this day.
“I am of the view that the historical record of Iran’s civilisation, which is so long, has formed an extraordinary character and fighting spirit. Even in the midst of various pressures and economic sanctions that have lasted so long, the Iranian nation has been able to emerge as a sovereign nation in the political sphere, self-reliant in the economic sphere, and distinctive in culture, or what is known as Sukarno’s Trisakti,” Megawati said.
She believed Mojtaba’s leadership aligned with previous leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s revolution. According to her, the struggle to uphold justice and refuse to submit to neo-imperialist forces also formed part of Sukarno’s leadership.
“I am confident that the confidence given to Your Excellency can continue the legacy of previous leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s revolution who held views similar to Sukarno’s thinking, particularly in the struggle to uphold global justice,” Megawati said.
“As a nation, we believe that the world should truly be built on the principle of living together peacefully (peaceful co-existence), equality, justice, and unbounded humanity. This principle is a reflection of our nation’s philosophy and ideology, Pancasila, and is enshrined in our constitution,” she continued.
In her message, Megawati also hoped that the United Nations (UN) would be able to play an active role in the Middle Eastern conflict. She wanted the UN to take a central role in halting all forms of unilateral invasion.
“Sukarno also emphasised the importance of revitalising the UN so that it could become an authoritative world institution, capable of upholding justice, and become an equal forum for nations in the world. For this reason, with this spirit, I hope that the UN today can truly play its active role to uphold human dignity by halting all forms of unilateral invasion, respecting the sovereignty of independent nations, and resolving conflicts through constructive dialogue mechanisms,” Megawati said.
In closing her letter, Megawati conveyed her congratulations on the mandate given to Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei as Supreme Leader. Megawati expressed prayers that this leadership would guide Iran to become a dignified nation and emerge from crisis.
“Once again, congratulations on taking on the position of Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Your Excellency Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. Trust has been given and great challenges await. Furthermore, please allow me to express sincere prayers that Your Excellency will continually obtain strength, wisdom, and divine guidance to bring Iran out of crisis, guide the Iranian nation towards progress that is just and dignified, and build a more peaceful and constructive world for all mankind,” she concluded.