TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto received a state visit from Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Thursday, July 2, 2026. The official welcoming ceremony was marked by full state honors.
The reception commenced around noon. The vehicle carrying Lukashenko was escorted by mounted troops and a security motorcade as it passed through the gates of the Merdeka Palace. A group of elementary school students clad in red-and-white uniforms lined up across the palace yard to welcome the visiting leader. They also enthusiastically waved miniature Indonesian and Belarusian flags.
Upon stepping out of his vehicle, Lukashenko was greeted directly by President Prabowo. The Gerindra Party chair shook hands and embraced his Belarusian counterpart. The two leaders then observed the traditional Enggang Dance of East Kalimantan, performed just a short distance from the car.
The two leaders then proceeded toward the terrace of the Merdeka Palace. Prabowo and Lukashenko stood in respect as the national anthems of Belarus and Indonesia were played in succession. The formal moment was punctuated by a traditional 21-gun salute.
Following the ceremony, Prabowo and Lukashenko inspected the guard of honor assembled in the palace yard. They also greeted the lining students before returning to the terrace to introduce their respective delegations.
Prabowo then invited Lukashenko inside the Merdeka Palace. President Lukashenko signed the official guest book in Prabowo's presence. Afterward, Lukashenko presented the pen he had used as a gift to the Indonesian president. The writing instrument featured a gold finish adorned with black patterns.
Lukashenko and Prabowo then held a one-on-one meeting at the Merdeka Palace, which was followed by a broader bilateral meeting attended by delegations from both nations.
The Indonesian delegation accompanying Prabowo included Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, Foreign Minister Sugiono, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, and Minister of Investment Rosan Roeslani.
Also in attendance were Minister of Culture Fadli Zon, Minister of Agriculture Amran Sulaiman, Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.
Lukashenko arrived in Jakarta on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. He was welcomed by Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin upon landing at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in East Jakarta. That evening, Lukashenko stayed overnight at the State Palace in Jakarta.
Foreign Minister Sugiono stated that staying at the Presidential Palace complex was Lukashenko's personal preference. He added that the Indonesian government fulfilled the request as a gesture of deep respect for the visiting head of state.
According to Sugiono, visiting heads of state typically prefer staying in luxury hotels. "This time, he explicitly wished to stay overnight at the palace," Sugiono said.
According to Sugiono, Lukashenko was initially scheduled to stay at the State House within the presidential compound. However, President Prabowo Subianto intervened, requesting that quarters be prepared instead at the grander State Palace. "It was originally arranged at the State House, but the President deemed the Palace to be more fitting," the Gerindra Party politician explained.
He noted that Lukashenko's visit comes as a reciprocal response to Prabowo's official trip to Belarus on July 15, 2025. "This marks President Lukashenko's second visit to Indonesia, following his initial trip back in 2013," he concluded.
Read: List of Jakarta Roads Closed During Belarus President's Visit to Indonesia
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