SBY Apologises for Missing 81st Indonesian Independence Day Ceremony at Palace
Indonesia’s sixth president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), has apologised for being unable to attend the 81st Independence Day ceremony at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta. SBY said he is currently in Rochester, United States, undergoing medical examinations.
“I personally apologise for not being able to join the celebrations in the homeland, nor attend President Prabowo’s state address, as well as the commemoration of the proclamation of independence at Merdeka Palace, as I have done in previous years,” SBY said, as quoted from his YouTube channel on Monday (17/8/2026).
SBY said he is currently in Rochester, United States, to undergo a series of medical examinations or a medical check-up at the Mayo Clinic. He said the examinations are being carried out during August.
“Because at the moment, this August, I am in Rochester, United States, to undergo a series of medical examinations or a medical check-up,” he said.
SBY explained that the examinations were carried out on the recommendation of the presidential medical team. SBY said he will return to Indonesia in September.
“I will complete my medical examinations at the Mayo Clinic at the end of this August. God willing, in September I will be back in the homeland,” he said.
“The presidential medical team that looks after my health recommended that, in addition to examinations at home, they also be carried out at the Mayo Clinic because I underwent prostate removal surgery in 2021 and examinations are carried out every year,” he continued.
SBY also conveyed his greetings for the 81st anniversary of Indonesian independence to the Indonesian people. He said he is grateful to be able to celebrate Indonesia’s Independence Day once again.
“To the people in the homeland, I would like to use this good opportunity on this historic and joyful day for the Indonesian nation. I would like to say long live Indonesia. Let us together give thanks to God Almighty, Allah SWT, because once again we are celebrating the independence day of 17 August 2026,” he said.