CONDOLENCES FROM
FORMER PRESIDENT OF INDONESIA MEGAWATI SOEKARNOPUTRI TO THE GOVERNMENT AND THE
PEOPLE OF IRAN ON THE PASSING AWAY OF HIS EMINENCE AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMEINI
Jakarta, March 1, 2026
To
His Excellency,
The Interim Leader of
the Islamic Republic of Iran; The President;
The Government, and
all the People of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Subject: Condolences
on the Passing of His Eminence Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
With the highest
respect,
With a shocked and
deeply grieved heart, I, Prof. Dr. Megawati Soekarnoputri, as the 5th President
of the Republic of Indonesia, and representing the extended family of Dr. (H.C)
Ir. Soekarno (Bung Karno), as well as Chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic
Party of Struggle (PDI-P), express our deepest condolences on the passing of
His Excellency Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic
of Iran, who died in a sudden military attack launched by Israel and the United
States against Iran on February 28, 2026. Personally, and on behalf of the extended
family of Bung Karno, as well as representing the Indonesian nation and people
who love peace, justice, and the sovereignty of an independent state, I express
our sincere sympathy and solidarity to the family, government, and all the
people of Iran.
For more than three
decades, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has led his nation through extremely difficult
circumstances, amid geopolitical pressures, economic sanctions, and military
threats, while consistently defending his country's sovereignty and the dignity
of the Islamic world. In him, we see a cleric (religious leader) and statesman
who strives to combine religious faith, social justice, and anti-imperialism in
a consistent line of struggle.
For us in Indonesia,
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has a spiritual and intellectual affinity with the
struggle of Bung Karno, the Founding Father, Proclaimer and First President of
the Republic of Indonesia.
Various testimonies
show how, from a young age, he admired Bung Karno, read his thoughts, and used
Indonesia's experience, especially Pancasila and the spirit of the Bandung
Principles, as a reference in formulating a synthesis between religion,
nationality, and social justice in Iran. In his leadership, we see echoes of
the spirit of anti-colonialism, Third World solidarity, and the determination
to reject all forms of global domination and injustice.
As the eldest daughter
of Bung Karno, the initiator of the Asian-African Conference and one of the
architects of the Non-Aligned Movement, I feel a deep historical and
ideological bond between the people of Indonesia and Iran. This brotherhood is
established not only through formal diplomacy, but also through a shared
destiny as nations that oppose all forms of colonialism, fight for
independence, and desire a more just and dignified world order.
Today, I remember my
official visit to Tehran in 2004, in my capacity as President of the Republic
of Indonesia. The visit was to attend the D-8 Conference and to strengthen the
friendship and cooperation between the two countries. At that time, I had the
opportunity to meet with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. I felt a warm welcome and
charisma of leadership radiating from him. I remember inviting him directly to
come to Indonesia to attend the International Islamic Scholars Conference in
Jakarta in February 2004 and the 50th anniversary of the Asian-African
Conference in 2005, although he did not have the opportunity to visit Indonesia
before his passing.
On various occasions,
I have also personally experienced the hospitality, respect, and closeness of
Iranian leaders, who always refer to Indonesia as a long-time friend in the
struggle against colonialism, imperialism, and the Non-Aligned Movement.
Memories of these meetings are now even more meaningful as we bid farewell to
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
On this occasion, I
need to reiterate that the Indonesian people stand with the Iranian people in
rejecting and strongly condemning all forms of unilateral military aggression
that violate state sovereignty and endanger regional and world peace. We
believe in the principle that we have upheld since the era of Bung Karno until
today, namely that conflicts must be resolved through dialogue, fair
negotiations, and respect for international law, not through violence and the
use of armed force.
To the extended family
of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the leaders and clerics of Iran, and all
the people of Iran, allow me to offer prayers that Allah, the Most Gracious and
Merciful, will grant him a place at His side, accept all his good deeds, and
forgive all his mistakes. May the Iranian people be blessed with strength,
unity, and wisdom to get through these difficult times, and be able to maintain
the independence, honor, dignity, and sovereignty of their country amid the
raging storms of history.
In this time of deep
sorrow, may we continue to uphold the finest legacy of our predecessors, both
Bung Karno in Indonesia and the leaders of the revolution in Iran. In the
spirit and determination to build a peaceful world, free from imperialism and hegemony,
and to stand with the oppressed. May the friendship between the Indonesian and
Iranian peoples be preserved and even strengthened in the future.
With my highest
consideration,
Prof. Dr. Megawati
Soekarnoputri
The 5th President of
the Republic of Indonesia
c.c.: Ambassador of
the Islamic Republic of Iran in Jakarta