GPCI Meets MPR Leadership to Discuss the Fate of Indonesian Citizens in Flotilla Mission
Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI) met Deputy Speaker of the MPR Hidayat Nurwahid at the Parliament Complex in Jakarta on Tuesday, 19 May 2026. In the meeting, GPCI conveyed the latest developments concerning a number of Indonesian nationals taking part in the humanitarian mission Global Sumud Flotilla 2026 to Gaza.
The GPCI delegation consisted of members of the Steering Council Irvan Nugraha, Ahmad Juwaini, and Maryam Rachmayani Yusuf, accompanied by Arif Rahmadi Haryono, Dian Mulyadi, and Tantan Supriatna. They asked the MPR for support so that the government would take diplomatic steps regarding the condition of the volunteers and Indonesian journalists whose ships were intercepted in the Mediterranean Sea.
Five Indonesians reported detained are Rumah Zakat volunteer Andi Angga on the Josef ship, Republika journalist Bambang Noroyono on the Bolarize, and three media crew on the Ozgurluk: Republika journalist Thoudy Badai, Tempo TV journalist Andre Prasetyo Nugroho, and iNews contributor and GPCI media team member Heru Rahendro.
‘The MPR RI urges the government through the Foreign Ministry to take rescue steps for the five Indonesians who have been intercepted and to protect the other four who are still sailing in waters protected by international law,’ said Hidayat Nurwahid, on Tuesday, 19 May 2026.
Ahmad Juwaini said the GPCI’s visit to the MPR was to seek political backing for the government to act quickly to secure the release of the Indonesian volunteers. He noted that flotilla participants were undertaking a humanitarian mission to deliver aid to Gaza residents.
‘Many of our colleagues in the Mediterranean are currently intercepted by Israeli forces. Therefore, in this meeting, we ask the government to step in promptly to secure the release of our fellow volunteers,’ Ahmad stated.
Irvan Nugraha described the interception of humanitarian aid ships as unacceptable and a violation of international humanitarian law. He emphasised that the Indonesian volunteers travelled to bring humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.
‘Our mission is to deliver aid to our brothers in Gaza. So the voyages are solely humanitarian in purpose. It is therefore unacceptable for Israeli forces to intercept and abduct our colleagues,’ he said.
Beyond pushing for diplomatic steps, GPCI said it would continue to provide support to the families of the volunteers and Indonesian journalists taking part in the voyage. The support includes communication, information provision, and psychological services for families.
There are nine Indonesian nationals taking part in the mission. Of the nine, five have been abducted by Israeli forces. On the Bolarize ship, Republika journalist Bambang Noroyono is detained together with two Malaysian nationals by the Israeli military.
On the Ozgurluk ship, three Indonesians have been abducted by Israeli forces: Republika journalist Thoudy Badai, Tempo TV journalist Andre Prasetyo Nugroho, and iNews journalist Heru Rahendro. One more Indonesian, humanitarian activist Andi Angga, was abducted with another group on the Josef ship.
Meanwhile, two Indonesians remain at sea as of Monday night. They are Asad Aras and Hendro Prasetyo aboard the Kasri Sadabad. Herman Budianto and Ronggo Wirsanu continue sailing aboard the Kapal Zapyro.
Data was confirmed by Global Peace Convoy Indonesia Media Coordinator Harfin Naqsyabandy. ‘Five delegations (Indonesia) were abducted; four are still at sea,’ he said at the Dompet Dhuafa building in Jakarta on Monday, 18 May 2026.