Anies Baswedan receives Freedom of the City of London

Anies Baswedan, the former Governor of Jakarta (2017–2022), was awarded the Freedom of the City of London during a ceremony at the historic Guildhall on Friday, October 16, 2026. Following a tradition dating back to the 13th century, he was welcomed as a ‘Citizen of London’.

The award was granted after a nomination by Alderman Alastair King and Alderman Gregory Jones KC, which was approved by the Court of Common Council in June 2025. Baswedan joins a prestigious list of past recipients, including Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Stephen Hawking, and Lee Kuan Yew.

The ceremony was led by Alderman Vincent Keaveny, the former Lord Mayor of London, acting as the Representative Lord Mayor. The event highlighted ongoing ties between London and Jakarta, noting previous official exchanges between the two cities.