FPI hands letter to Prabowo urging Indonesia to withdraw from BoP
Jakarta — The community organisation Front Pembela Islam (FPI) has entrusted a letter to President Prabowo Subianto urging Indonesia to withdraw from the Board of Peace (BoP). ‘We did not have the opportunity to speak today, but we entrusted the letter. Our letter was delivered; we also told the President that we still urge the Republic of Indonesia to withdraw from BoP,’ said Habib Hanif Alatas, Secretary of the FPI’s Central Syura (Consultative Assembly) at Jakarta on Thursday evening (5 March).
This was announced after he attended an iftar with President Prabowo and a number of ulama, Islamic organisations, and leaders of pesantrens at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday evening.
He explained that they want Indonesia to withdraw from BoP because they do not trust the United States and Israel, which are judged to have a bad track record in various conflicts.
‘We believe in the President of the Republic of Indonesia’s good faith, but we do not trust America. We do not trust Israel. Even prophets and messengers have been betrayed by Israel; let alone us ordinary humans,’ he said.
According to him, Indonesia’s involvement in BoP could raise issues, including the possibility that Indonesian troops could confront Palestinian fighters in Gaza.
Habib Hanif stressed that FPI does not object to sending troops if the aim is to assist in Palestine’s independence. However, the group opposes troops being under American command and potentially disarming Gaza’s fighters.
‘To be sent to Gaza to liberate Palestine we support, even we are ready to back volunteers. But if sent to Gaza under American command, and then disarm Gaza’s fighters, leading to confrontation, this is what we do not want,’ he said.
President Prabowo also stated the possibility of withdrawing if there is no benefit for Palestine or if it does not align with Indonesia’s national interests.
‘The President will withdraw if there is no longer any benefit for Palestine, there is no opportunity to pursue Palestine’s interests, and it does not align with Indonesia’s national interests. That is his statement. But we do not need to wait for that; from now on, the Americans have long proven they cannot be trusted,’ he said.
In addition to addressing BoP, FPI also asked President Prabowo to publicly express condolences for the death of Iran’s top leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Habib Hanif said the request was an instruction from Habib Rizieq Shihab delivered through him. Habib Rizieq could not attend fulfilling the iftar with the President.
President Prabowo hosted a silaturahmi (greeting) with ulama and representatives of Islamic organisations (ormas) on the central lawn of the RI Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday night. The event, attended by several ulama from various Islamic organisations, began with an iftar.
Among those present were PBNU’s Rais Aam K.H. Miftachul Akhyar, Muhammadiyah’s General Chairman Prof. Haedar Nashir, and the General Chairman of the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) K.H. Anwar Iskandar.
Also in attendance were Red-and-White Cabinet ministers including Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar, Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf, and Religion Minister Nasaruddin Umar.
The meeting with the ulama began at 19:00 WIB and ended around 23:00 WIB.