(March 4): Indonesia’s foreign minister said talks on US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace initiative have been put on hold as diplomatic attention shifts to the escalating Middle East conflict involving Iran, Israel and the US.
Discussions are paused given that “all attention has shifted to the situation in Iran", Foreign Minister Sugiono told reporters Tuesday (March 3) night following a dinner that included Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and former leaders of the world’s fourth-most populous nation. That said, “we are still consulting with our partners and also coordinating with colleagues in the Gulf, since they have also been targeted in attacks”.
The comments come as domestic opposition grows to Indonesia’s involvement in Trump’s security plan for Gaza. The world’s largest Muslim-majority nation attended the board’s inaugural meeting in Washington last month and has been preparing to deploy up to 8,000 troops for possible peacekeeping duties.
The Majelis Ulama Indonesia, an influential Islamic clerical body, this week urged the government to reconsider participation in the Board of Peace after US and Israeli attacks on Iran triggered a broader regional escalation. Tubagus Hasanuddin, a senior opposition lawmaker, called on the government to withdraw and take a firmer stance on the Iran conflict. “The country risks being drawn into Middle Eastern geopolitical turmoil that could be detrimental,” he said in a statement Tuesday.
Prabowo — who earlier this week expressed readiness to act as a mediator in the Iran conflict — dined Tuesday with former presidents Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Joko Widodo, former vice presidents, leaders of major political parties and senior diplomats to discuss global developments, including the Middle East escalation. He also outlined potential economic implications of the conflict, particularly risks to global oil and gas supplies from the Middle East, according to people in attendance.
“The president explained” the Board of Peace, Al Muzzammil Yusuf, president of the Prosperous Justice Party, told reporters afterward. “In my opinion, he explained that the choice made was the most feasible option in the current situation, even though it was not the ideal choice.”
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The former army general also emphasised strengthening defence and national preparedness “in anticipation of a potential crisis", Yusuf added.
Hassan Wirajuda, a former foreign minister, said Prabowo indicated the government would evaluate Indonesia’s participation in the Board of Peace as geopolitical conditions evolve. The escalation involving Iran could reduce the likelihood of the initiative succeeding, potentially prompting the government to reassess whether the framework remains relevant and effective, he added.
“He will evaluate and make the appropriate decision at the right time,” Wirajuda said.
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He added that Indonesia’s potential role as a mediator in the conflict was only briefly mentioned. Wirajuda said mediation would require acceptance from both sides, something he suggested is unlikely while the conflict is ongoing.
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