Head of DPD Calls on Public to Respect Prabowo's Neutral Stance on Middle East Conflict

Jakarta, Kompas.com — The head of Indonesia’s Regional Representative Council (DPD), Sultan Baktiar Najamudin, has asked the public to respect President Prabowo Subianto’s neutral stance on the Middle East conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

Sultan stated that Prabowo’s neutral position demonstrates Indonesia’s commitment to free and active foreign policy.

“A neutral stance towards conflicting parties is a manifestation of Indonesia’s free and active foreign policy diplomacy. As a nation, we must respect the views, stance, and decisions of our national leaders,” Sultan said at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on the evening of Tuesday, 10 March 2026.

Sultan is therefore confident that Prabowo is working to maintain good relations with all countries.

“We fully understand and completely support President Prabowo’s such wise diplomatic stance for the interests of our nation and country. The President is working to maintain good relations with all countries,” he said.

Sultan acknowledged that Indonesian society deeply empathises with war victims in Iran.

“The principle is that the President wants to prioritise a free and active foreign policy and non-alignment. Because all conflicting parties are Indonesia’s good friends,” he said.

Earlier, Prabowo claimed that Indonesia was already on the correct path in responding to the Middle East conflict by becoming a non-aligned country that does not take sides with any party.

Prabowo made these comments whilst inaugurating Bailey Bridges and Armco Bridges across Indonesia virtually on Monday, 9 March 2026.

According to Prabowo, this approach must be adopted by Indonesia despite Indonesia’s geographical distance from conflict zones such as the Middle East and Ukraine.

However, Indonesia will still experience the effects of wars occurring despite the considerable distance.

“What happens in one region will affect other regions. Our nation and country are already on the correct path, we are on the path of non-alignment. We have always been on the path of free and active, non-aligned foreign policy,” said Prabowo.

He claimed that Indonesia respects all countries and powers on Earth.

“We do not want to join any bloc, we respect all powers, we respect all countries. That is Indonesia. Unity in Diversity within the country, but also internationally we respect all nations,” he added.