Gus Yahya: Indonesia must utilise BoP to halt the war

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Yahya Cholil Staquf, the General Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama’s Central Board (PBNU), says Indonesia needs to utilise all instruments at its disposal to promote peace amid the escalation of global conflict. He said this at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Thursday, in response to Indonesia’s position on the Board of Peace (BoP) in safeguarding peace in Palestine. ‘We are looking for ways to utilise BoP for the peace endeavour,’ he said. Gus Yahya stated that the various mechanisms available should be used to the maximum to support the peace effort. He likened the effort to someone who must dig a hole but does not have a shovel. If what is available is only a spoon, then that spoon must be used. ‘If we need to dig a hole and there is no shovel, if the only tool is a spoon, we dig with a spoon, like that,’ he said. He emphasised that this approach underlines the importance of utilising any instrument available for the greater goal, namely to stop the conflict and realise peace. He argued that something that seems small or weak should not be ignored if it can still assist the peace process. ‘We use anything because the pursuit of peace is absolute,’ he said. He stressed that all parties need to maximise every opportunity and instrument available to stop the war.