Sugiono Elected PB IPSI Chairman as Prabowo Steps Down

Sugiono, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, has been officially elected as the General Chairman of the Pengurus Besar Ikatan Pencak Silat Indonesia (PB IPSI) for the 2026-2030 term. The election took place during the XVI PB IPSI National Congress (Munas XVI), marking a leadership transition within the national governing body for the traditional Indonesian martial art.

The appointment follows the decision of President Prabowo Subianto to step down from his position as the General Chairman of PB IPSI. President Prabowo attended the opening of the XVI National Congress, where he formally announced his resignation from the role to focus on his national duties.

Presidential Support for Olympic Ambitions

During the proceedings of the congress, President Prabowo Subianto expressed his continued support for the development of pencak silat on the global stage. He specifically advocated for the sport to achieve entry into the Olympic Games, emphasizing the need for the discipline to reach the highest level of international athletic competition.

In addition to the sporting goals, the President used the platform to encourage the Indonesian public to maintain and take pride in the nation’s cultural heritage. He referenced the habits of former President Joko Widodo, noting his fondness for wearing regional traditional clothing as an example of promoting Indonesian cultural identity.

Leadership Transition and Sugiono’s Role

Sugiono previously served as the Vice General Chairman of PB IPSI before his election to the top post. His transition to the chairmanship occurs while he continues to manage Indonesia’s diplomatic relations as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Red and White Cabinet.

Sugiono’s appointment to the leadership of PB IPSI aligns with his close professional and ideological ties to President Prabowo. Members of the Gerindra Party have described Sugiono as the ideological child of Prabowo, a relationship forged during Sugiono’s tenure as the President’s personal secretary.

Beyond his current roles in government and sports administration, Sugiono has held significant positions within the Gerindra Party, serving as the party’s secretary-general since August 1, 2025. He previously served as a member of the House of Representatives from 2019 to 2024, where he was the deputy chairperson of the First Commission, overseeing communications, foreign affairs, and defense.

Diplomatic and Academic Background

Sugiono’s appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2024 was notable for breaking long-standing precedents. He became the first person in nearly 25 years to hold the position without a professional background as a diplomat or an academic degree specifically in diplomacy or international relations.

His educational background includes studies at Taruna Nusantara and a Bachelor of Science from Norwich University. He also holds a Master of Management and a Master of Business from the University of Konstanz. Sugiono has a military background, having served as a First Lieutenant in the Indonesian Army’s infantry (Kopassus) between 2002 and 2004.

Pencak Silat as Global Heritage

The leadership of PB IPSI oversees a discipline that holds significant cultural value both domestically and internationally. Pencak silat was officially recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2019.

The organization has previously held large-scale events to promote the sport, including national rallies for practitioners (pendekar) aimed at preparing the discipline for the Olympics. These efforts are intended to showcase the unity of various silat schools (perguruan) across Indonesia while elevating the sport’s profile in the international arena.

As the new General Chairman for the 2026-2030 term, Sugiono is expected to lead the organization in pursuing these Olympic goals while maintaining the cultural integrity of the martial art as promoted by the current administration.