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US ambassador to Indonesia concludes 9-month tenure
United States Ambassador to Indonesia Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir will conclude her mission in Jakarta later this month, the US embassy stated on Tuesday, officially announcing the end of her nine-month long tenure in the country.
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Heading home: United States Ambassador to Indonesia Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir conducts a doorstop interview with journalists during EducationUSA Fair. (Courtesy of/U.S. Embassy Jakarta)
U
nited States Ambassador to Indonesia Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir will conclude her mission in Jakarta later this month, the US embassy stated on Tuesday, officially announcing the end of her nine-month long tenure in the country.
Lakhdhir will make her last round of engagement with several Indonesian officials and stakeholders before leaving, the announcement added, and her absence will be temporarily filled by the US embassy in Jakarta’s deputy chief of mission Heather C. Merritt as Charge d’Affaires ad interim.
“It has been an immense honor to serve as US Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia,” Lakhdhir said, as quoted by the US’ official statement.
“I am proud of the many ways Indonesians and Americans are working together on shared challenges to make our nations safer, stronger and more prosperous,” she continued.
Seasoned diplomat Lakhdhir was appointed as ambassador to Indonesia by then-US president Joe Biden in mid-2024, marking her second time working in Jakarta after having served the post in the 1990s as an officer.
Her arrival last year took place amid rife criticism against former president Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who was perceived as neglecting the country’s ties with the US among others by leaving the Indonesian post in Washington empty on numerous occasions.
The Indonesian post in Washington is still currently vacant.
Lakhdhir’s imminent departure, meanwhile, will take place in the midst of negotiations between Indonesia and the US following early April’s announcement from Washington that it would increase the trade tariff rate for Indonesian goods.
During her time in Indonesia, Lakhdhir worked “tirelessly” to deepen US-Indonesia ties in various areas including education, trade, defense and security, the US’ official statement added.
