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Antonius Agus Sriyono

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Antonius Agus Sriyono
BERJAYA
Ambassador of Indonesia to the Holy See
In office
13 January 2016 – 1 July 2020
Preceded byBudiarman Bahar
Succeeded byLaurentius Amrih Jinangkung
Deputy for Foreign Policy Coordination
In office
1 October 2013 – 7 June 2016
Preceded byNadjib Riphat Kesoema
Succeeded byLutfi Rauf
Ambassador of Indonesia to New Zealand
In office
10 August 2010 – August 2013
Preceded byAmris Hassan
Succeeded byJose Antonio Tavares
Personal details
Born(1957-05-17)17 May 1957
Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia
Died4 June 2026(2026-06-04) (aged 69)
Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia
SpouseAstuti Retno Widiati
Children3
Alma materGadjah Mada University (Drs.)

Antonius Agus Sriyono (17 May 1957 – 4 June 2026) was an Indonesian diplomat who served as ambassador to New Zealand from 2010 to 2013 and to the Holy See from 2016 to 2020. Between his two ambassadorial terms, Antonius was the deputy for foreign policy coordination in the Office of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs from 2013 to 2016.

Early life and education

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Antonius Agus Sriyono was born on 17 May 1957 in Magelang.[1] His father, a school principal, possessed a deep fascination with global politics and international relations. From a young age, Sriyono spent his time alongside his father listening to international radio broadcasts from the BBC and Voice of America, and reading books on global affairs, which sparked his childhood ambition to become a diplomat by the time he was in junior high school. His dreams ran contrary to his parents, who wanted him to follow their paths as a teacher.[2] He decided to take the language and culture specialization at the De Britto high school,[3] where he studied French and advanced his English language skills.[4]

Sriyono was an avid author and began writing his first year of high school. His first short story, Odessa, was about an Indonesian robber who fled to the city. After completing high school in 1975,[3] Sriyono pursued higher education at Gadjah Mada University, where he majored in international relations. Since then, and even after pursuing his diplomatic career, he contributed articles to prominent media outlets such as Sarinah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Globe, and Kompas.[4] Sriyono graduated with a doctorandus in 1981.[5]

Diplomatic career

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Sriyono briefly worked as a public relations officer in Ciputra Group[2] for three years[4] and at the Prasetiya Mulya University.[6] He joined the foreign department in 1984[7] and completed basic diplomatic education from 1984 to 1985, where his classmates included future deputy foreign minister Abdurrahman Mohammad Fachir and future deputy ASEAN secretary general Bagas Hapsoro.[8] His diplomatic service began as a protocol staff at the state palace.[4] After two years of service, he was sent to The Hague, where he was put in charge of information affairs with the diplomatic rank of third secretary, serving from 1987 to 1991. He served under ambassador Mohammad Romly, whom he credited for teaching him humility.[4] After his maiden overseas assignment, he was assigned as an aide to foreign minister Ali Alatas,[7] which he described as his hero.[2]

From being one of the foreign minister's secretaries, in 1994 Sriyono moved to the Indonesia's permanent mission to the United Nations in New York with the rank of first secretary. Sriyono served under permanent representative Nugroho Wisnumurti, whom he commended for his intellectual prowess. During his tenure there, Sriyono was one of Indonesia's delegate to the general assemblies of the United Nations. His posting in New York concluded in 1998 and he was recalled to Jakarta for an assignment at the directorate of international organizations, becoming one of the directorate's deputy director in 2000.[4][7] During this period, he completed his mid-level and senior diplomatic education in 1999 and 2000, respectively.[8]

In 2001, Sriyono, now with the rank of minister counsellor, was sent to the newly opened embassy in Portugal. At that time, Indonesia has just restored its diplomatic relations with Portugal, which were non-existent in relation to its occupation of East Timor.[4] Sriyono, who headed the embassy's political section, credited the ambassador Harry Haryono with his legal insights. During his tenure, Sriyono organized the first ever Indonesian photo exhibition in Portugal in 2003.[9] Following a three-year stint in the embassy, on 6 April 2004 Sriyono became the chief of planning and organization bureau of the foreign department.[1] Sriyono was replaced on 24 April 2008 by Sritomo Wirodihardjo.[10] Sriyono's third overseas posting was in Moscow, where he was the deputy chief of mission under ambassador Hamid Awaludin—previously the law minister under president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. His posting in Moscow allowed him to visit Odessa, the city that had inspired a short story he wrote 36 years prior as a high schooler.[4]

Ambassador to New Zealand

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BERJAYA
Agus and his wife at the presentation of his credentials to the governor general of New Zealand, 2010.

Two years into his office as bureau chief, on 10 August 2010 Sriyono became the ambassador to New Zealand, with concurrent accreditation to Samoa and Tonga.[11] His colleagues, who congratulated him, said that he'd mostly be either golfing, fishing, or sleeping throughout his assignment.[2] Sriyono presented his credentials to governor general Anand Satyanand on 30 September 2010,[7] O le Ao o le Malo Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Efi on 15 February 2011,[5] and to King George Tupou V of Tonga on 21 March 2011.[12] Sriyono's stated focus was to increase the amount of Indonesian workers and post-graduate students in New Zealand as well as reversing Indonesia's trade deficit with New Zealand. Sriyono encouraged, among others, the Fonterra dairy company to invest in Indonesia.[2] In response to a visit by Papuan freedom leader Benny Wenda to New Zealand in 2013, Sriyono remarked about reports of violence in Papua being exaggerated and that the "world cannot turn back the clock and change history" on the Act of Free Choice.[13]

Deputy for foreign policy coordination

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Sriyono left New Zealand in August 2013, and on 1 October 2013 he was appointed the deputy for foreign policy coordination in the office of the coordinating minister for political, legal, and security affairs.[14] As deputy, Sriyono emphasized Indonesia's role in moderating the South China Sea dispute as a non-involved party[15] and urged Israel to respect UNRWA's diplomatic immunity in carrying out its duties to assist Palestinian refugees.[16] Shortly after being installed for a second ambassadorial term, on 7 June 2016 Sriyono was replaced by Lutfi Rauf [id].[17]

Ambassador to Vatican

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Sriyono became Indonesia's ambassador to the Holy See on 13 January 2016[18] after being nominated by president Joko Widodo the August before[19] and passing his parliamentary assessment in September.[20] He arrived on 21 February[21] and presented his credentials to Pope Francis on 21 March,[22] during which the Pope expressed his interest in visiting Indonesia for the Asian Youth Day, which would gather Catholics from all over Asia in Yogyakarta in 2017.[23][24] At the end of his term, on 28 January 2020 Sriyono met with Vatican's Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to deliver Joko Widodo's invitation for Pope Francis to visit Indonesia.[25] In a farewell tête-à-tête meeting with Sriyono on 9 May 2020, the Pope expressed his wishes to visit Indonesia, provided that the COVID-19 pandemic subsided.[26] Sriyono departed for Indonesia on 1 July that year.[27] Pope Francis would make a apostolic trip to Indonesia few years later on 2024.

As ambassador, Sriyono prioritized cultural and political diplomacy, with his main political agenda being to align Indonesia and the Vatican on a shared support for a two-state solution regarding Palestine. Culturally, he focused on enhancing interfaith dialogue, seeking to expand existing programs by engaging a broader spectrum of religious groups and highlighting Indonesia's identity as a Muslim-majority nation that empowers moderates. During his tenure, he managed relations with approximately 1,600 Indonesian religious personnel residing in Rome and the Vatican, and worked to promote cross-religious harmony.[28] For his ambassadorial works, Pope Francis conferred him the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Pope Pius IX on 13 March 2019.[29]

Personal life and death

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Sriyono was married to Astuti Retno Widiati. The couple had three children (two sons and a daughter) and grandchildren. His eldest son, Anindityo Adi Primasto, followed his footsteps as a diplomat, while his second son works as a journalist for Tempo.[2] After his retirement, Sriyono taught at the Prasetiya Mulya University [id] and joined the university's Center for Indonesian National Studies, as well as becoming a member of the board of donors for the Atma Jaya University, Yogyakarta.[6]

Sriyono died at the Primaya Hospital in West Bekasi, Bekasi, on 4 June 2026, at the age of 69.[30] A requiem was held to honor him at the Elisabeth Hospital funeral house a day later.[6]

References

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  1. 1 2 Departemen Luar Negeri Republik Indonesia (6 April 2004). "Lembar Informasi: Menteri Luar Negeri RI Melantik Konjen RI di Hongkong dan Pejabat Baru Departemen Luar Negeri" [Information Sheet: Indonesian Foreign Minister Inaugurates Consul General in Hong Kong and New Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs]. Departemen Luar Negeri Republik Indonesia. Archived from the original on 6 May 2005. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Graham, Duncan (25 October 2010). "Agus Sriyono: Making 1,000 friends — and zero enemies". The Jakarta Post. Archived from the original on 29 October 2010. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  3. 1 2 Sriyono, A Agus; Djumala, Darmansjah, eds. (2004). Hubungan Internasional: Percikan Pemikiran Diplomat Indonesia [International Relations: Sparks of Thought of Indonesian Diplomats] (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Penerbit PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama. p. 319.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Jadi Diplomat Terinspirasi Siaran Radio" [Inspired by Radio Broadcast to Become a Diplomat]. Tabloid Diplomasi. 28 July 2013. Archived from the original on 13 August 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  5. 1 2 "Samoan and Indonesian diplomatic ties reaffirmed". Savali News. 22 February 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 "Mantan Dubes RI untuk Vatikan, Antonius Agus Sriyono Berpulang" [Former Indonesian Ambassador to the Vatican, Antonius Agus Sriyono Passes Away]. Pena Katolik (in Indonesian). 5 June 2026. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "H.E. Mr. Antonius Agus Sriyono Duta Besar". Embassy of Indonesia in Wellington. Archived from the original on 17 August 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  8. 1 2 "Le Lettere Credenziali dell'Ambasciatore di Indonesia presso la Santa Sede, 21.03.2016" [The Letters of Credence of the Ambassador of Indonesia to the Holy See, 21 March 2016]. Bollettino Sala Stampa della Santa Sede (in Italian). 21 March 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  9. ↑ "PHOTOS ON INDONESIA EXHIBITED IN PORTUGAL: THE INDONESIAN NATIONAL NEWS AGENCY". Antara. 28 February 2003. ProQuest 446575133. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  10. ↑ "Menlu Lantik 12 Pejabat Baru". Department of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia. 24 April 2008. Archived from the original on 28 April 2008. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
  11. ↑ "Presiden SBY Lantik 24 Duta Besar" [President SBY Inaugurates 24 Ambassadors]. detikNews (in Indonesian). Detikcom. 10 August 2010. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  12. ↑ "Indonesia Akan Beri Beasiswa Bagi Tonga" [Indonesia Will Provide Scholarships for Tonga]. Kompas.com. 25 March 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  13. ↑ "NZ parliament ban on activist draws attention to West Papua question". RNZ International. 18 February 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  14. ↑ Aziz, Aziar; Sutarto, Agus, eds. (January 2014). KIPRAH & PENGABDIAN ALUMNI UI Jejak Inspiratif Untuk Generasi Bangsa [CONTRIBUTIONS & DEDICATION OF UI ALUMNI Inspirational Footprints for the Nation's Generation]. Ikatan Alumni Universitas Indonesia (ILUNI UI). p. 262.
  15. ↑ Paat, Hence, ed. (31 May 2015). "Indonesia tetap netral di Laut Tiongkok Selatan" [Indonesia remains neutral in the South China Sea]. Antara News Gorontalo (in Indonesian). Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  16. ↑ Widisanaya (6 November 2014). "RI Desak Israel Hormati Kekebalan UNRWA" [RI Urges Israel to Respect UNRWA's Immunity]. RMOL.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  17. ↑ Gumilang, Prima (7 June 2016). "Bekas Dubes Thailand Dilantik Jadi Deputi Politik Luar Negeri" [Former Ambassador to Thailand Inaugurated as Deputy for Foreign Politics]. CNN Indonesia (in Indonesian). Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  18. ↑ Edo Karensa (13 January 2016). "Politicians Loyal to Joko Dominate Latest Batch of Ambassadors". Jakarta Globe. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  19. ↑ Retaduari, Elza Astari; Gah (8 August 2015). "33 Nama Calon Dubes, DPR Serahkan kepada Pemerintah" [33 Names of Ambassador Candidates, DPR Submits to Government]. detikNews (in Indonesian). Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  20. ↑ Taufiqurrohman (16 September 2015). "Banyak Rahasia Negara, Uji Kelayakan Calon Dubes Digelar Tertutup" [Many State Secrets, Fit and Proper Test for Ambassador Candidates Held in Private]. Liputan6.com. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
  21. ↑ "Temui Menag, Dubes RI untuk Tahta Suci Vatikan Pamit Untuk Bertugas" [Meeting the Minister of Religious Affairs, the Indonesian Ambassador to the Holy See Vatican Says Goodbye to Go on Duty]. Kementerian Agama Republik Indonesia (in Indonesian). 18 February 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  22. ↑ "Nuevo embajador de Indonesia presenta sus cartas credenciales al Papa Francisco". Rome Reports (in Spanish). 21 March 2016. Archived from the original on 25 March 2016. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  23. ↑ "Dubes undang Paus Fransiskus kunjungi Indonesia" [Ambassador invites Pope Francis to visit Indonesia]. Antara News (in Indonesian). 22 March 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  24. ↑ Cahyoputra, Leonard AL (2 February 2016). "Dubes RI untuk Vatikan: Ingin Tingkatkan Dialog Antar-Agama" [Indonesian Ambassador to the Vatican: Wants to Enhance Inter-Religious Dialogue]. BeritaSatu (in Indonesian). Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  25. ↑ Lumanauw, Novy (29 January 2020). "Presiden Jokowi Undang Paus Fransiskus Kunjungi Indonesia" [President Jokowi Invites Pope Francis to Visit Indonesia]. Investor.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  26. ↑ Siagian, Hasiholan (31 May 2020). "Antonius Agus Sriyono: BERKEMBANG DALAM SPIRITUAL DAN MORAL" [Antonius Agus Sriyono: Developing Spiritually and Morally]. Hidup Katolik (in Indonesian). Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  27. ↑ Pati, Paul C (7 June 2020). "Pelayanan jadi kata kunci 'sapa virtual' Dubes RI untuk Tahta Suci jelang berakhir masa tugas" [Service becomes the keyword for the 'virtual greeting' of the Indonesian Ambassador to the Holy See ahead of the end of his term of duty]. Pena Katolik (in Indonesian). Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  28. ↑ W., Arkhelaus (4 February 2016). "Dubes RI untuk Vatikan Agus Sriyono: Ada Misi Jalan Tengah" [Indonesian Ambassador to the Vatican Agus Sriyono: There is a Middle Way Mission]. Tempo (in Indonesian). Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  29. ↑ "ONORIFICENZE" [Honorifics] (PDF). Acta Apostolicae Sedis: Commentarium Officiale. 111 (7). Libreria Editrice Vaticana: 1225. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 9 June 2026.
  30. ↑ Mahayana, Mellani Eka, ed. (5 June 2026). "Mengenang Agus Sriyono, Diplomat Perintis Jalan Paus Ke Indonesia" [Remembering Agus Sriyono, the Diplomat Who Pioneered the Pope's Path to Indonesia]. Rakyat Merdeka (in Indonesian). Retrieved 9 June 2026.
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