Civil Groups Challenge President's Participation in Board of Peace

The Indonesian Law Enforcement Monitoring and Oversight Agency (LP3HI), together with two citizens, Rus Utaryono and Tresno Subagyo, and the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI), have submitted a material examination to the Constitutional Court. This petition concerns President Prabowo Subianto’s policy of joining the Board of Peace (BoP), or World Peace Council. The petitioners believe this participation requires constitutional scrutiny. “The documents are complete; we will register our submission this Friday,” said LP3HI Chairman Arif Sahudi in Solo, Central Java, on Thursday, 16 April 2026. Arif explained that the material examination is filed against Article 10 of Law No. 24 of 2000 on International Treaties. This article regulates the mechanism for ratifying international agreements, particularly those related to defence, security, and strategic politics. “We are filing a material examination against Article 10 regarding Indonesia’s participation in the BoP without DPR approval,” Arif stated. Arif views Indonesia’s involvement in the World Peace Council as more than an ordinary agreement. The policy is seen to impact foreign policy, defence, and Indonesia’s geopolitical position. “In this context, President Prabowo is obligated to involve the DPR,” he said. He noted that there has been no discussion in the DPR regarding this participation to date. This situation, according to him, has sparked controversy in society. “The fact now is that controversy is occurring because the DPR has not been involved,” Arif said. Furthermore, the issues discussed in the forum are deemed to intersect with sensitive international conflicts. In the petition, the petitioners also propose a time limit for ratifying international agreements. They suggest a maximum deadline of three months from signing for discussion in the DPR. “We want legal certainty,” he said. Arif emphasised that this material examination is not intended to obstruct the government. He described the step as ensuring all processes run in accordance with the constitution. “This country must adhere to the constitution, both the people and its leaders.” Sigit N. Sudibyanto, the petitioners’ legal representative, believes Article 10 of Law No. 24 of 2000 still allows for multiple interpretations. He mentioned that there are still strategic agreements ratified without DPR involvement. “Agreements concerning politics, defence, and security should not be handled merely by presidential regulation,” he said. Sigit also stressed the importance of transparency in international agreements. He believes the public has the right to know the content and impacts of government agreements. “So far, the public often does not know, and suddenly it has been ratified,” he said.