SBY Apologises for Missing Independence Day Ceremony at Palace Due to Health Check

Indonesia’s sixth president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), has apologised to the Indonesian public for being unable to attend the 81st anniversary of Indonesia’s independence in the country because he is undergoing medical examinations in the United States.

SBY conveyed the apology through an Independence Day video message recorded in Rochester, United States, and uploaded via the official Instagram account @aniyudhoyono on Sunday, 16 August 2026.

“To my friends back home, I would like to use this good opportunity, on this historic and joyful day for the Indonesian nation, to wish Indonesia a happy anniversary,” SBY said.

SBY said that until the end of August 2026 he would remain in Rochester to undergo routine health checks at the Mayo Clinic as a follow-up after undergoing prostate surgery in 2021.

“I personally apologise for not being able to join the celebrations back home, nor attend President Prabowo’s state address, or commemorate the proclamation of independence at the Merdeka Palace as I have done in previous years,” he said.

He explained that the medical examinations were carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the Presidential Medical Team treating him, including follow-up examinations at the Mayo Clinic.

“God willing, in September I will be back in Indonesia. The Presidential Medical Team looking 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 said.

On that occasion, SBY also expressed his optimism about the direction of national development after following President Prabowo Subianto’s state address at the Annual Session of the MPR and the Joint Session of the DPR RI and DPD RI at the Parliamentary Complex in Jakarta on Friday (14/8).

According to SBY, the speech brought new hope for the Indonesian people even though the development challenges faced are not light.

He called on all elements of society to contribute together to achieving better national development.

“Once again, happy Independence Day. We all have a historical responsibility and a moral responsibility to ensure that our nation and our country continue to improve, advance, become fairer and more prosperous,” SBY said.