ISLAMABAD: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has assured local Islamic groups that Indonesia will withdraw from the United States-led “Board of Peace” initiative if the platform fails to benefit Palestinians, according to an official government statement.
Indonesia’s participation in the initiative launched by US President Donald Trump has drawn criticism from analysts and religious organisations within the country. Critics argue that joining the board and offering troops for a Gaza stabilisation force could undermine Indonesia’s long-standing support for the Palestinian cause.
According to the statement issued by the government communications office, President Prabowo met with leaders of several Islamic organisations on Thursday evening to explain the rationale behind Indonesia’s involvement in the initiative.
During the meeting, Prabowo assured participants that Indonesia’s participation would depend on whether the initiative served the interests of both Palestinians and Indonesia.
The statement quoted Hanif Alatas of the Islamic Brotherhood Front as saying that the president made it clear he would withdraw if the platform no longer benefited Palestine or Indonesia.
Earlier, the Indonesian Ulema Council had urged the government to exit the board, citing concerns over the United States’ role in the ongoing regional conflict involving Iran.
Meanwhile, Nahdlatul Ulama, the country’s largest Muslim group, suggested that Indonesia could instead use its position in the forum to promote de-escalation in the Middle East.
Its chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf said Indonesia could push for the board’s agenda to be suspended until diplomatic efforts for peace and de-escalation take place.
Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono had earlier said that discussions within the Board of Peace had been halted due to the ongoing war in the region.