DPD Chair Fully Supports President Prabowo's Active Free Diplomacy Amid Global Conflict
The head of Indonesia’s Regional Representative Council (DPD), Sultan Baktiar Najamudin, has expressed full support for President Prabowo Subianto’s diplomatic approach in responding to escalating geopolitical tensions between the United States-Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Sultan regards the choice to maintain neutrality as a genuine manifestation of Indonesia’s independent and active foreign policy principle. He emphasised that neutrality represents the expression of the nation’s diplomatic sovereignty.
According to Sultan, the national leadership has taken the correct steps in safeguarding Indonesia’s standing on the international stage. “A neutral stance towards conflicting parties is a manifestation of Indonesia’s independent and active foreign policy diplomacy. As a nation, we must respect the views, positions and decisions of our national leaders,” Sultan stated in a written statement on Wednesday (11 March).
Sultan further recalled Indonesia’s historic role as the country that initiated the Non-Aligned Movement. He viewed President Prabowo’s efforts to maintain good relations with all global powers as a wise and strategically important policy for national interests.
“We fully understand and completely support President Prabowo’s diplomatic stance. The President is working to maintain balanced relationships with all friendly nations,” said the former Deputy Governor of Bengkulu.
Beyond supporting the position of neutrality, Sultan also appreciated the humanitarian dimension in the President’s diplomacy. This refers to the condolences expressed by the President following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Sultan noted that this action reflected the deep empathy of the Indonesian people.
“As a country with a Muslim majority, we naturally feel empathy with our brothers and sisters who have become victims of war in Iran. However, at the same time, we continue to respect the interests and foreign policy positions of our other friendly nations,” Sultan added.
This consistency of position was previously emphasised by President Prabowo during the inauguration of 218 bridges in Hambalang, Bogor, on Monday (9 March). During the event, the President stressed that Indonesia would remain committed to the non-aligned principle amid increasingly complex global conflict dynamics.
Sultan concluded that the foundation of this policy is universal friendship. Indonesia does not wish to become trapped in polarisation, viewing all conflicting parties as strategic partners.
“The principle is that the President wishes to advance an independent foreign policy because all conflicting parties are good friends of Indonesia,” he concluded.