Yogyakarta Governor Sultan HB X Reveals Week-Long Leave for Health Check-Up

The Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono (HB) X, has returned to work after taking a week’s leave for a medical check-up. The Sultan revealed that he must undergo a health examination at least every six months. The Sultan admitted that his advancing age is the main factor behind the increased frequency of his medical check-ups. “Well, I am allowed to, to have a check-up, I am allowed to,” the Sultan explained after attending a plenary meeting at the DIY Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) building on Thursday (2/7). “I know myself, I always have a check-up once a year. But now I don’t dare, so it’s every six months, like that. It’s about looking after my own health,” he continued. The Sultan stressed that his reason for taking a week’s leave was not due to illness, but purely for a medical check-up. “Yes (it was not because of illness), it’s for a check-up, that’s important, to measure. Age is increasing,” explained the 80-year-old governor who is also the King of the Kraton Jogja. Previously, the Sultan took a week’s leave for health reasons. The Sultan appointed the Vice Governor of DIY, KGPAA Paku Alam X, as the acting daily governor (Plh). The appointment of a Plh is a normal mechanism in governance. “It is very normal and common for the head of an institution to be temporarily unable to perform duties for any reason. Whether due to illness, official visits, or leave, the daily tasks will be covered by the deputy. This is a very procedural and normal process within the government bureaucracy,” said the Regional Secretary (Sekda) of DIY, Ni Made Dwi Panti Indrayanti, in a written statement on Thursday (25/6). She asked the public not to worry regarding the letter appointing the Plh Governor of DIY, which was valid from 24 June to 1 July 2026. “This decision is neither a new policy nor a specific political move, but rather the implementation of governance already regulated in legislation. Every regional head who is temporarily unavailable is obliged to appoint an Acting Daily Officer so that government functions continue to run and there is no vacuum of authority,” she said. Ni Made also clarified speculation that had developed regarding the condition of the Governor of DIY, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X. She confirmed that the Sultan was only undergoing a health check-up. “So, the Governor’s main agenda at the moment is just for a medical check-up,” she explained.