Engaging Political Elites Seen as Strengthening the Strategic Policies Prabowo Will Adopt on Geopolitics

Senior researcher at the Centre for Political Research, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Lili Romli, says President Prabowo Subianto’s move to invite former presidents and vice-presidents, as well as leaders of political parties, to the Istana Merdeka is a strategically necessary step. She argues that involving figures and political elites will bolster the government’s policy legitimacy. ‘I think even though every decision and policy is the President’s right and responsibility, seeking input from various parties, including former presidents and vice-presidents, is something that needs to be done,’ Romli told Media Indonesia on Wednesday (4/3). She added that the tradition of consulting with former leaders will affect decision quality. By considering a range of inputs, risks of policies that provoke uproar or controversy can be prevented from the outset. ‘With inputs from many parties, it will result in a decision that is correct, not controversial, and will gain broad public support,’ she said.

Previously, President Prabowo hosted a gathering and discussion with a number of national figures at the Istana Merdeka in Jakarta on Tuesday night, 3 March 2026. Attending the gathering were former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, former President Joko Widodo, Vice-President Ma’ruf Amin, and former Vice-Presidents Jusuf Kalla (10th and 12th) and Boediono (11th). Also present were former Foreign Ministers, leaders of coalition parties, the Chairman of Kadin Anindya Bakrie, the Chairman of APINDO Shinta Widjaja Kamdani, the Chairman of BPP HIPMI Akbar Himawan Buchari, and several Red and White Cabinet ministers. The meeting served as a strategic dialogue forum to discuss global geopolitical developments, particularly the escalation of conflict in the Middle East. Former Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda revealed that President Prabowo provided a comprehensive briefing on the latest international developments. He also noted that the discussions highlighted the weakening efficacy of the global order. ‘The President provided updates, briefings on various developments around the world, especially regarding what has long concerned many of us—the most recent developments, notably the ongoing war or attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran. We discussed its implications for us, for the world,’ Hassan said.

According to Hassan, in the forum the President also outlined the challenges Indonesia faces amid the swirl of global conflict. He added that the discussions covered not only security and world peace but also the potential wide-ranging economic impacts. ‘We discussed the implications for overall security and global peace issues, but also the potential effects of this war on the world economy, especially those relating to supply, oil, and gas. We considered all its effects on us from that perspective, and also how long this war might last,’ he explained. Hassan also cited the latest dynamics regarding potential escalation of the conflict. President Prabowo, according to Hassan, regarded it important to keep channels open for communication and the exchange of ideas with national figures. ‘The President sees it as important to communicate the problems faced by the government, faced by the President with us who were asked to come tonight. The President is very open to responding to the ideas of the participants,’ Hassan said.

On Indonesia’s stance, Hassan stressed that the conflict is a unilateral action with no international mandate. Regarding the BoP (Board of Peace), he said discussions would continue to take into account the latest developments. ‘We discuss, but also in the context of the latest developments, whether the war in Iran will weaken BoP’s position and mandate; we will recalculate from that perspective,’ he said.