SBY Confirmed to Miss 81st Indonesian Independence Day Ceremony

Indonesia’s sixth president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), will most likely not attend the 81st Indonesian Independence Day commemoration ceremony at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Monday (17/8). His absence is due to SBY undergoing a routine health examination abroad.

Minister of State Secretary (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi confirmed that SBY is currently undergoing a medical check-up. According to him, this condition makes it difficult for SBY to attend the upcoming Proclamation seconds ceremony.

“President SBY happens to be undergoing a medical check-up, actually just a routine examination. So his position is most likely that he will not be able to attend the ceremony,” said Prasetyo, as reported by Antara, Jakarta, Wednesday (12/8).

Regarding the attendance of other national figures, Prasetyo said the government is still awaiting confirmation from a number of former presidents and vice presidents. He explained that some family members had only responded today.

When asked about the certainty of attendance of Indonesia’s seventh president Joko Widodo and fifth president Megawati Soekarnoputri, the State Secretary Minister could not yet provide a definite answer. The Palace promised to provide updated information once confirmation is received.

Separately, Deputy Chairman of the Democratic Party Benny K. Harman revealed that SBY is currently in the United States (US) to undergo the health examination. The health check process is expected to last until the end of August 2026.

“He is having a check-up in America until the end of the month,” said Benny at the Parliament Complex, Tuesday (11/8). Thus, SBY is confirmed absent from the series of state events, including the MPR RI Annual Session and the ceremony at Merdeka Palace.