Family of Gaza Flotilla Activist in Makassar Urges Government to Act
A wave of emotion enveloped the home of Andi Angga Prasadewa in Jalan Yusuf Daeng Ngawing, Makassar, South Sulawesi. Angga, as he is familiarly known, is reported to be one of nine Indonesian nationals detained by the Israeli military while taking part in the humanitarian mission Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza, Palestine, on Monday (18 May 2026).
Angga’s mother, Sutrawati Kaharuddin, voiced deep concern for the safety of her eldest son. Angga departed by sea from Marmaris, Turkey, joining the Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI) as a representative of Rumah Zakat.
Sutrawati recalled that she was still able to speak with Angga on Monday afternoon at 15:00 local time. But shortly after, the WhatsApp message he sent showed only a single tick, indicating his phone was no longer active.
“Three o’clock yesterday he was still replying to my WhatsApp. After that I answered, ‘sister, mother is very worried. Take care there’. After that it already showed one tick. I started to suspect and worry there,” Sutrawati said softly, on Tuesday (19 May 2026).
She also revealed that Angga actually suffered from severe seasickness. Although he had been warned, Angga stubbornly proceeded to set off for the humanitarian mission carrying medicines and food aid for hungry Palestinians.
Interestingly, Angga seemed to have predicted the risk of an ambush. He had told his sister to tell their mother not to be surprised if he could not be contacted. ‘He said to his sister, pass on to Mum not to be surprised if he cannot be contacted; the phone has been thrown into the sea. Because that is part of the training time (security procedures),’ added Sutrawati.
The family emphasised that Andi Angga Prasadewa is a pure humanitarian activist, not part of any terror group. His participation in Global Sumud Flotilla was motivated by a humanitarian drive to help the Gaza crisis.
The family now places high hopes on the Indonesian Government, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to promptly take diplomatic steps to secure the release of Angga and his colleagues.
‘My hope is that the government will release him soon. Because the family cannot do anything; only the government can. My son is a humanitarian activist; he went there only with medicines and necessities for the Palestinian people,’ she concluded.
Rumah Zakat and the relevant authorities continue to monitor developments concerning volunteers who are under Israeli military detention in the Mediterranean Sea.