Anies Baswedan Urges Government to Withdraw from the Board of Peace Over Alleged Contravention of the 1945 Constitution

Former presidential candidate Anies Baswedan has urged the government to withdraw Indonesia from the Board of Peace (BoP). Indonesia’s participation in the peace council established by United States President Donald Trump is seen as contravening the 1945 Constitution. Anies says Indonesia is a country born out of resistance to colonialism; in the Preamble to the 1945 Constitution, Indonesia promises to create a world order based on independence, lasting peace, and social justice. ‘As a pioneer of the Bandung Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement, we inherit a reputation as a third world voice that dares remind the great powers to uphold international law,’ he said in a statement cited by Republika on Saturday (7 March 2026). Therefore, Indonesia’s participation in BoP raises a troubling question. Instead of paving the way for a just peace, its existence legitimises injustices long condemned. Anies acknowledges BoP’s stated aim of promoting peace, but BoP chair Donald Trump has reportedly ordered a military attack on Iran alongside Israel during negotiations that appear to be making progress; the attack reportedly claimed civilian casualties and even a head of state. ‘How can that peace council continue to operate as if nothing happened when its proponent itself breaches international law before the eyes of the world?’ he asked. He argued that Indonesia’s active neutrality does not mean it must join every forum; rather, that stance should be seen as an obligation to choose forums that defend sovereignty, enforce international law, and uphold victims of colonialism. ‘Not by giving a red carpet to the perpetrators,’ he added. Anies believes the Iran–Israel–America conflict should be used as a moment for the government to exit BoP. The government must firmly reject a peace forum that ignores violations of international law. He said exiting BoP would not be anti-peace; rather, it would demonstrate Indonesia’s independent stance and fidelity to the nation’s conscience. ‘Are we willing to trade the Bandung Spirit heritage for the prestige of belonging to a peace council that can’t even bear its own name? We need to think about this seriously,’ Anies said.