Olly Dondokambey Accompanies Megawati in Receiving Russian Ambassador, Discussing 125th Anniversary of Bung Karno to Strategic Cooperation
North Sulawesi Governor for the 2016-2025 period, who currently serves as Treasurer General of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Olly Dondokambey, accompanied General Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri in receiving a visit from the Russian Ambassador to Indonesia, Sergei Tolchenov, at Jalan Teuku Umar, Central Jakarta, on Thursday, 7 May 2026. The meeting discussed strategic issues, one of which was the plan to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the birth of Indonesia’s first president, Soekarno.
“Convey my warm regards to President Putin,” said Megawati, who has known Putin since he was serving in the St. Petersburg city government when she was a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives. Moreover, Megawati also knows several figures such as Kliment Voroshilov and Nikita Khrushchev.
Indonesia-Russia relations have been established since 1950, when the country was still called the Soviet Union. In addition to strengthening the long-standing friendship, the Russian Embassy also conveyed plans to publish writings on the history and closeness of Soekarno’s relationship with Russia.
During his leadership of Indonesia, Bung Karno, Soekarno’s affectionate nickname, is recorded to have visited the Soviet Union four times. The first visit in 1956, then in 1959, followed by 1961, and the last in 1964. For this reason, Tolchenov opined that Bung Karno is an important figure who laid the foundation for close Indonesia-Russia relations since the Soviet era. “We want to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Father Soekarno. He was born on 6 June 1901, and this year coincides with the 125th jubilee of Bung Karno,” said Tolchenov during the meeting.
Sergei Tolchenov also proposed screening a documentary film on Soekarno’s visits to the Soviet Union through cooperation with the Megawati Institute or the Agency for the Development of Pancasila Ideology (BPIP).
Megawati welcomed the statement and said that PDIP also plans to hold a series of Bung Karno Month activities in June.
Strategic Cooperation between Indonesia and Russia
Closeness with Russia remained maintained when Megawati became Indonesia’s fifth president. In 2003, she also visited Russia to purchase main weapon system equipment (alutsista), including Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jets. The decision was taken amid Indonesia’s difficult economic conditions, so the transaction was conducted using the rouble currency and through a commodity barter scheme.
“I said at that time we didn’t have money and didn’t want to convert to US dollars, but directly to roubles. Because the funds were insufficient, we offered barter with commodities like soybeans and others. Finally, an agreement was reached,” said Megawati.
The discussion also touched on how Indonesia currently still heavily relies on the US dollar for international trade transactions. According to her, bilateral transactions using local currencies can open up broader cooperation opportunities with major countries.
Megawati also expressed hope that Indonesia’s Sukhoi aircraft could receive maintenance and overhaul support from Russia.
In addition, Indonesia’s fifth president, who also serves as Chair of the BRIN Supervisory Board, explained that Indonesia has recently discovered an active underwater volcano. As a follow-up, it certainly requires technological support and scientific cooperation.
Tolchenov responded that Russia is ready to provide support through cooperation with the Russian Academy of Sciences, including in the utilisation of submarine technology and underwater unmanned vehicles. According to him, the cooperation built during Megawati Soekarnoputri’s administration has become an important foundation for bilateral relations between the two countries to this day.
“We also already have cooperation with BRIN in the fields of nuclear and space. In fact, a Yuri Gagarin monument will be established in the BRIN environment,” he said.
The meeting was also attended by Russian Deputy Ambassador Veronika Novoseltseva, who is fluent in Indonesian. Meanwhile, from PDIP, besides Olly, Megawati was accompanied by PDIP DPP General Secretary Hasto Kristiyanto, PDIP DPP Chair Eriko Sotarduga, and Executive Director of the Megawati Institute Hilmar Farid.