Multatuli displaces 3,220 tons, is long between perpendiculars and in length overall, has a beam of, and a draught of .[1] Propelled by a single Burmeister and Wain diesel engine providing, the vessel can reach a top speed of, and has a range of at .[1] She is armed with six 37mm anti-aircraft guns in two single and two twin mounts, and four 14.7mm anti-aircraft guns in two twin mounts.[1] A 76mm gun was originally fitted aft, but this was replaced by a helicopter platform.[2] A hangar was added in 1998.[2] The ship's company is made up of 134 personnel.[1] The vessel is capable of providing replenishment at sea.[2]
The ship was designed and constructed by Japanese shipbuilder Ishikawajima-Harima.[1] She was laid down at the company's Tokyo shipyard on 13 June 1961.[1] She was commissioned into the Indonesian Navy in August 1961.[2] Originally designed as a submarine support ship, Multatuli was converted into a fleet command ship for Eastern Command during the late 1960s.[1]
Multatuli is operational as of 2007.[1]