SBY Misses Annual MPR Session, Sends Prayers from the US for Indonesia's Progress

Democratic Party Chairman Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) has confirmed that Indonesia’s 6th President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) did not attend the 2026 MPR Annual Session and the Joint Session of the DPR and DPD because he is undergoing medical examinations abroad.

AHY, who also serves as Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, said he had just held a video call with SBY and received news that the series of health checks is proceeding well, although several stages are still ongoing.

“I just had a video call with him. Alhamdulillah, there is a series of health examinations,” AHY told journalists as he entered the venue of the 2026 MPR Annual Session and the Joint Session of the DPR and DPD in Jakarta on Friday.

According to AHY, the results of the first stage of examinations indicate a good condition, while follow-up examinations are still being carried out. The family therefore requests prayers that the entire process runs smoothly.

“The first examination results were good, but there are several subsequent stages still in process. So we ask for your prayers that Mr SBY is granted good health and can continue his activities,” AHY said.

AHY added that SBY also sent his prayers from afar that Indonesia may become more advanced and its people more prosperous, in line with the commemoration of the 81st anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Indonesia.

“He is certainly praying from afar that this country, the Indonesia we all love, may become more advanced and its people more prosperous,” AHY said briefly.

News of SBY undergoing health checks abroad had previously been conveyed by the Democratic Party.

Deputy Chairman of the Democratic Party Benny K. Harman revealed that SBY would not attend a number of events in the series marking Indonesia’s 81st independence anniversary because he is undergoing health checks in the United States.

He said SBY is likely to undergo the health checks until the end of August 2026. As a result, SBY will not attend the MPR Annual Session at the parliamentary complex nor the 81st Independence Anniversary ceremony at Merdeka Palace.

“He is having a check-up in America, until the end of the month,” Benny said at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Tuesday, 11 August 2026.