HI Unhas Urges Indonesia to Withdraw from Board of Peace

Makassar — Academics and researchers from the International Relations Department of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at Hasanuddin University are calling for Indonesia to withdraw from the Board of Peace (BoP), a peace council entirely initiated by United States President Donald J. Trump.

In a report detailing findings from a focus group discussion made public in Makassar on Saturday, the Hasanuddin International Relations Laboratory concluded that Indonesia’s involvement in the BoP should be re-evaluated and terminated, as the body has not genuinely demonstrated support for Palestinian interests.

The department further argues that membership is inconsistent with Indonesia’s national interests and actually weakens Indonesia’s position as a nation committed to promoting multilateralism and respecting state sovereignty.

Structurally, the BoP also exhibits unequal membership positions (asymmetrical relations) and ambiguity regarding the US President’s role as either a state or non-state actor in the BoP’s leadership.

The International Relations Department has adopted a position urging the Indonesian Government to withdraw from the BoP, based on several considerations:

First, Indonesia’s withdrawal from the BoP would demonstrate consistency with constitutional mandates and the principles of independent and active foreign policy. Indonesian diplomacy has traditionally been conducted on the basis of independence and activism, strengthening support for Palestinian independence and sovereignty, and reinforcing multilateral and regional cooperation.

Second, Indonesia has historical credibility as a nation supporting Palestinian independence and sovereignty whilst rejecting unilateral action. This credibility commands respect and regard from other nations in multilateral bodies such as the United Nations, and Indonesia should preserve this standing.

Third, Indonesia should affirm its position in strengthening multilateralism and should not normalise an ad hoc forum that risks undermining the importance of established international institutions.

Fourth, the economic costs of escalating regional warfare in the Middle East are now too substantial to ignore. By positioning itself outside the BoP framework, Indonesia would be better placed to pressure the United States, Israel, Iran, and other involved nations to cease military escalation and pursue diplomatic channels.

Fifth, the call for Indonesia to withdraw from the BoP does not contradict or conflict with President Prabowo’s position, as he has previously stated openness to the possibility of withdrawing from the forum if it fails to benefit Palestine and does not align with Indonesia’s national interests.