Habib Rizieq Absent as FPI Sends Letter to the President Urging Indonesia's Withdrawal from the Board of Peace
The Front Pembela Islam (FPI), a civil society organization, has submitted a letter to President Prabowo Subianto requesting that Indonesia withdraw from the Board of Peace (BoP). The letter was entrusted by Habib Hanif Alatas, Secretary of the FPI’s Majelis Syura, after he attended a buka puasa gathering with the President and several religious figures at the Istana Kepresidenan in Jakarta on Thursday night.
“We did not have a chance to speak, but we entrusted the letter. Our message is that Indonesia should withdraw from BoP,” Hanif Alatas said in Jakarta on Thursday night. The meeting was part of a cordial gathering with ulama, leaders of Islamic organizations, and pesantren leaders that began with the buka puasa at the Istana Kepresidenan.
Hanif explained that FPI pushes for Indonesia to leave BoP because it does not trust the roles of the United States and Israel in various international conflicts, which they believe have poor track records. “We respect the good faith of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, but we do not trust America. We do not trust Israel. The prophets and messengers were betrayed by Israel, let alone us ordinary humans,” he said.
The group contends that Indonesia’s participation in BoP could raise new problems. One concern is that Indonesian troops might have to confront Palestinian fighters in the Gaza Strip. Habib Hanif emphasised that FPI would support deploying Indonesian troops if the aim is to aid the Palestinian struggle for independence, but opposed troops under American command that could disarm Gaza fighters and provoke confrontation.
“If troops are sent to Gaza to help liberate Palestine, we support it; we are ready to support volunteers as well. But if they are sent to Gaza under American command to disarm Gaza fighters, leading to confrontation, this is what we do not want,” he said.
In the meeting, Habib Hanif also noted that President Prabowo explained Indonesia’s involvement in BoP as a contribution to the Palestinian cause. The President reportedly opened the possibility of Indonesia withdrawing from the forum if it is deemed not to benefit Palestine or if it conflicts with Indonesia’s national interests.
“If there is no longer any benefit to Palestine, if there is no opportunity to advocate for Palestine’s interests, and if it does not align with Indonesia’s national interests, the President will withdraw. He said as much. But we should not wait for that; evidence is that America has never been trustworthy for a long time,” Hanif added.
Beyond the BoP stance, FPI also asked the President to publicly express condolences for the death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. Hanif said this request represents a message from Habib Rizieq Shihab, conveyed through him because Rizieq could not attend the iftar with the President.
“We asked, on behalf of Habib Rizieq, since Iran is a friendly country. We asked the President not only to send a Foreign Minister to convey condolences but for the President to express condolences publicly, because Iran is a friendly nation. Iran, after all, needs support in defending its sovereignty,” he said.
The gathering took place in the central courtyard of the Istana Kepresidenan RI in Jakarta and was attended by various religious figures and leaders of national Islamic organizations. Attendees included Nahdlatul Ulama’s Rais Aam K.H. Miftachul Akhyar, Muhammadiyah’s General Chairman Prof. Haedar Nashir, and MUI’s General Chairman K.H. Anwar Iskandar. Several members of the Red and White Cabinet also attended, including Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhaimin Iskandar, Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, and Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar. The meeting, which began around 19:00 WIB, lasted until about 23:00 WIB.
Separately, PA 212 supporters began arriving in the Monas area around 01:30 WIB. Police personnel were deployed at several points around the U.S. Embassy area. Susatyo said the personnel consisted of a joint task force from Polda Metro Jaya, Metro Jakarta Police, the TNI, the DKI Jakarta regional government, and related agencies.
Former FPI leader Habib Rizieq Shihab was today declared a pure release by BP Kelas Satu, Central Jakarta. Rizieq Shihab is seeking resolution for the KM 50 case, which resulted in the deaths of six of his members. FPI has supported the KPK in thoroughly investigating allegations of gratification connected to the KM 50 incident.