SBY to Miss Independence Day Ceremony Due to Medical Check-Up
Indonesia’s sixth president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), has been confirmed not to attend the Independence Day ceremony at the Palace on 17 August 2026. State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi said SBY is currently undergoing a routine medical check-up.
“One of them is President SBY, who happens to be undergoing a medical check-up, just a routine examination, so it is very likely he will not be able to attend the ceremony marking the Proclamation,” Prasetyo said on Wednesday (12/8).
Prasetyo said this was one of the latest updates regarding the attendance of former presidents and vice presidents who have been invited by the government. He explained that the attendance list is not yet fully final because some family members of former presidents and vice presidents have only just contacted the government to provide confirmation.
“Not all confirmations are complete yet, because there are also those who have just contacted us today to be received by the family, both former presidents and former vice presidents,” he said.
The government, Prasetyo said, will continue to update information on which former presidents and vice presidents will attend the ceremony once all confirmations have been received.
In addition to preparing the state guest list, the government is also expanding facilities for members of the public who wish to watch the series of independence commemorations around the Palace area.
Prasetyo said the government is adding one block with a capacity of around 3,400 people. The block will be divided into two sessions, morning and afternoon, to accommodate the schedule of activities taking place.
The additional facilities are not only intended for members of the public who obtained invitations through the ticket booking system. The government is also paying attention to people who usually watch the activities from around Taman Pandang.
For members of the public invited to the Independence Day ceremony, the government is preparing one additional special tent. The facility is expected to allow people around Taman Pandang to watch the series of activities more comfortably.
“Including we will add one block, but this is not for those who registered through the ticket booking system yesterday, but for those who usually join in watching around Taman Pandang, so that they can watch much more comfortably, we are also preparing one additional special tent,” Prasetyo said.