Indonesia Defends Low-Level Representation at Khamenei Funeral as Former Diplomat Questions 'Free and Active' Foreign Policy

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — Indonesia has defended its decision to send only its ambassador to Tehran to represent the country at the state mourning ceremonies for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a move that has triggered criticism from one of the country's most prominent former diplomats.

The debate has raised fresh questions over how President Prabowo Subianto's administration is balancing Indonesia's long-standing "free and active" foreign policy doctrine with increasingly complex geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Indonesia has traditionally sought to maintain balanced relations with major powers while positioning itself as an independent voice in global affairs.

The level of diplomatic representation at major international events often carries symbolic significance, making Jakarta's decision closely watched by regional observers as geopolitical competition intensifies.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang said Iran had invited Indonesia to attend the official mourning ceremonies and that Jakarta had informed Tehran it would be represented by Indonesia's ambassador to Iran.

"The Government of Indonesia has conveyed that Indonesia will be represented by the Indonesian Ambassador in Tehran," Yvonne said in an official statement.

She added that Iranian authorities appreciated Indonesia's decision to formally appoint its ambassador to attend the ceremonies.

The Indonesian ambassador participated in prayers and tribute ceremonies at Tehran's Grand Mosalla on Saturday morning local time.

According to the Iranian government, official mourning events are scheduled from July 3 through July 9 across several cities in Iran and Iraq, culminating with Khamenei's burial in Mashhad.

Iranian authorities estimate millions of mourners will participate in the ceremonies, which were postponed for several months following the conflict that erupted after Khamenei was killed in a joint U.S. and Israeli military strike on Feb. 28.

The funeral has drawn numerous senior foreign delegations.

Among those attending are senior representatives from Russia, Turkey, Iraq, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, China, India, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, Georgia, Belarus, Egypt, Bangladesh, Serbia, Namibia, Nicaragua, Burkina Faso, and several international organizations.

The issue gained further attention after Dino Patti Djalal, Indonesia's former deputy foreign minister and founder of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI), publicly questioned the government's decision on Monday.

Speaking on Monday, Dino questioned whether Indonesia's diplomatic posture had shifted. "Has 'fear' become a factor in Indonesian foreign policy?" he wrote, arguing that Jakarta should have dispatched a ministerial-level delegation to demonstrate its commitment to an independent and "free and active" foreign policy.

He argued that while many countries—including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Russia, China, India, Malaysia, and Bangladesh—sent ministerial or higher-level representatives, Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, was represented only by its ambassador.

According to Dino, the decision risked creating the perception in Tehran that Indonesia had downplayed the importance of the invitation.

He also questioned whether the move reflected growing caution toward the United States or deeper problems within Indonesia's foreign policy decision-making process.

Dino suggested Indonesia could have sent Deputy Foreign Minister Anis Matta, whose portfolio includes Islamic affairs, arguing that doing so would have demonstrated Indonesia's commitment to its long-standing principle of an independent and active foreign policy.

He further said Indonesia's presence at the funeral could have reinforced Jakarta's friendship with Iran while signaling opposition to what he described as the unlawful killing of Khamenei under international law.

The Foreign Ministry has not responded publicly to Dino's criticism beyond reiterating that Indonesia formally designated its ambassador in Tehran as the country's official representative.

The episode illustrates the diplomatic balancing act facing Indonesia as it seeks to preserve relationships across competing geopolitical blocs while maintaining its traditional non-aligned foreign policy stance under President Prabowo.