On Indonesia's 81st Independence Day, Megawati Highlights Global Geopolitics and the Importance of National Resilience
PDI Perjuangan chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri has called on all Indonesians to understand global geopolitical dynamics in order to safeguard the sovereignty and integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).
The message was delivered by Megawati while acting as Inspector of Ceremony at the 81st Independence Day commemoration held at the At-Taufiq Mosque field, PDI Perjuangan Party School, Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta, on Monday, 17 August 2026.
In her address, Indonesia’s fifth president highlighted the national resilience of other countries, including Iran, which she said has been able to withstand pressure from world superpowers due to the discipline and solidarity of its people.
“If you want to understand politics, there is something called geopolitics. The question is, why has America, which calls itself a superpower, been unable to defeat Iran to this day? Think about it with a political mind. Why? It is not only about money, but what? The unity of the Iranian nation is extraordinary! Just imagine, they are not divided,” Megawati said on Monday.
She added that history shows a nation’s resilience depends heavily on the principle of mutual cooperation and internal unity that cannot easily be shaken by outside intervention.
“I have read Iran’s history: a country that has not been defeated for almost a thousand years. Why? Because its people work together, united as one,” she asserted.
Megawati further corrected the common view that a country’s strength is determined by material wealth. In her view, Iran’s resilience against US pressure is clearly not due to financial factors alone, but rather the complete unity of its people. Beyond Asia and the Middle East, she also urged the public to emulate the discipline and fighting spirit of European countries that consistently make education and public health the main foundation for mastering science and knowledge.
Megawati stressed that Indonesia must draw important lessons from these global dynamics. According to her, the unity of all elements of the nation is the main bulwark for rejecting all forms of threats to the territorial sovereignty of the NKRI.
She asked the public not to be indifferent if there are parties trying to disrupt or take control of Indonesian territory.
“We should be like that! If someone starts trying to take what is called our region, will we just let it happen? We must be united, steadfast, steadfast, steadfast so that Indonesia can endure forever,” Megawati said.
Furthermore, Megawati believes that a nation’s sovereignty is ultimately determined by the courage to place its fate in its own hands and by mastery of science, research and technology.
She cited various countries such as China, Japan, Germany and South Korea that have been able to stand tall because they prioritise economic sovereignty and technological mastery.
Megawati also reminded the public of the importance of understanding the span of Indonesia’s sovereign territory from Miangas in the far north to Rote Island in the south, which she believes is starting to be forgotten by the younger generation. Megawati stressed that her call to protect the NKRI comes directly from her conscience.
“This comes from the deepest conscience, not just from reading a text. We must be united so that Indonesia remains eternal,” she said.
“Is it wrong for us to want sovereignty over our natural wealth and self-reliance in the economic field? Is it wrong for us to want to master science and technology? Bung Karno repeatedly stressed that only a nation that dares to place its fate in its own hands will stand strong,” Megawati said.