President Prabowo Subianto receives credentials and holds talks with eight newly appointed ambassadors of partner nations, June 8, 2026. (BPMI Setpres)
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto received Letters of Credentials from eight foreign ambassadors in Indonesia at the State Palace on June 8, officially marking the formal start of their diplomatic duties.
The eight ambassadors presented their credentials to the President were Sumadhurika Sashikala Premawardhane of Sri Lanka, Christopher Baltazar Montero of the Philippines, Yoon Soongu of South Korea, Petr Kopřiva of Czech Republic, Abdalfatah Ahmed Khalil Alsattari of Palestine, Dimitrios Michalopoulos of Greece, Salam Al Achkar of Lebanon and Menissa Rambally of Saint Lucia, stipulated as a non-resident ambassador.
After the ceremony, each ambassador was photographed with the president before being received for a brief talk at the veranda of Merdeka Palace, one of the most prominent presidential palaces. During the meeting, the envoys expressed their commitment to strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation across strategic sectors.
During that session, Presidential aide Prasetyo Hadi noted, “there were several [ambassadors] who gave their views, and the President also once again conveyed his commitment that Indonesia decided—by our founding fathers that our foreign policy is free and active, and we are non-aligned”.
This credential ceremony followed criticism from former Indonesian diplomat and Ambassador to the US Dino Patti Djalal, who pointed out delays in processing ambassadorial credentials. He disclosed that 17 foreign representatives who had already arrived in Jakarta were still waiting, some for as long as six to eight months,to present their credentials to the president.
Dino warned that such delays risk damaging Indonesia’s diplomatic reputation, especially since Indonesian ambassadors abroad are typically able to present their credentials promptly. For context, the last credential ceremony was held on November 7, 2025, implying that there were seven months spanning between the two ceremonies.
This issue has raised questions about the Indonesian government’s commitment to formal diplomatic protocols. Moreover, the delay exposes an institutional indifference to representatives of friendly countries, including some of Indonesia’s closest partners. Such an issue reflects bureaucratic disarray in foreign policy, with the government responding only after public scrutinyintensified.
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