Indonesia's Megawati receives Timor-Leste's highest state honor

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Former Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri received Timor-Leste’s highest civilian honor on Thursday, recognized for her pivotal role in normalizing bilateral relations following the half-island nation's independence.

President José Ramos-Horta presented Megawati with the Grande Colar da Ordem de Timor-Leste during a formal ceremony at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace.

Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão also attended the event.

According to a decree read by Presidential Chief of Staff Henriqueta Maria da Silva, the award recognizes Megawati’s significant contributions to fostering friendship, dialogue, and diplomatic normalization between the two neighbors.

In his address, President Ramos-Horta praised Megawati's statesmanship during Indonesia's turbulent democratic transition in 1999.

He noted her peaceful acceptance of constitutional outcomes when she assumed the vice presidency, placing democratic stability above personal ambition.

He further lauded her pragmatic approach as Indonesia's fifth president from 2001 to 2004, during which she supported the UN-backed transition and built strong diplomatic foundations with Dili.

"Megawati calmly accepted the constitutional decision and assumed the office of Vice President," Ramos-Horta said. "She placed the interests of democracy above her own legitimate aspirations. That choice represents one of the highest proofs of true statesmanship."

Accepting the medal, Megawati described the honor as a mandate for the future rather than just a historic milestone.

"This Grand Collar award is not just a medal; it is an interlocking chain," Megawati said. "The friendship between Indonesia and Timor-Leste is a chain that must continue to extend—from one generation to the next, without ever being broken."

Megawati also reflected on the shared struggles of Indonesia and Timor-Leste, drawing parallels between the sacrifices of Xanana Gusmão and her father, Indonesia's founding president Sukarno, who both endured years of imprisonment or exile during their respective independence movements.

The ceremony concluded on a lighter note as Megawati recalled her first visit to Dili, joking about being surprised by the intense heat of Timor-Leste's bird's eye chilies and revealing that she had already asked her staff to buy some from a local market to take home to Jakarta.

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Translator: Fianda Sjofjan Rassat, Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono

Editor: M Razi Rahman

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