Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Ukraine’s national postal service, Ukrposhta, has released a special edition stamp featuring the portrait of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. The limited-edition stamp, launched as a tribute to Indonesia, marks a significant gesture of friendship between the two nations.
The initiative was spearheaded by The Ukrainian Initiative, a non-governmental organization focused on fostering cultural and political ties between Ukraine and Indonesia. According to a statement by the Indonesian Embassy in Kyiv on its official Instagram page, “Ukrposhta, at the suggestion of The Ukrainian Initiative, has issued a stamp featuring the image of President Prabowo Subianto.”
Yuriy Kosenko, the head of The Ukrainian Initiative was an Indonesianist, a term used for foreign nationals with a deep interest in Indonesian culture, politics, and society. Kosenko explained that the stamp symbolizes the bond of friendship between Indonesia and Ukraine. It also serves as a tribute to President Prabowo, who recently assumed office as Indonesia’s eighth president following his inauguration on October 20, 2024.
The stamp design showcases a portrait of Prabowo Subianto, accompanied by the Indonesian flag and the Garuda Pancasila emblem. In the image, Prabowo is seen wearing a black suit and traditional black peci cap.
The stamp was a special edition and released with limited number. However, despite being a limited release, the stamp is fully functional for postal use across Ukraine.
A Commemorative Gesture
Indonesia’s Ambassador to Ukraine, Arief Basalamah, personally received the special edition stamp during a ceremony at Ukrposhta’s headquarters in Nizhyn in October 2024. The Indonesian Embassy in Kyiv also shared images of the stamp on its Instagram account, captioning one of the posts, “His Excellency Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia. This stamp is dedicated to his inauguration on October 20, 2024.”
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The embassy emphasized that this gesture reflects the strong diplomatic ties between Indonesia and Ukraine. “This is a form of respect to celebrate the inauguration of the 8th President of the Republic of Indonesia. It is hoped that the diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Ukraine will grow even closer and more mutually beneficial in the future,” the embassy stated.
Bilateral Relations
The release of the Prabowo stamp highlights the warm and growing relationship between Jakarta and Kyiv, which have been strengthening ties in recent years. Both nations are looking to enhance cooperation in various sectors, including trade, culture, and education.
While the stamp featuring President Prabowo Subianto may be a collector’s item due to its limited print run, it serves as a symbol of goodwill and the potential for deeper bilateral engagements between Indonesia and Ukraine.
(Raidi/Agung)
