Kampung Haji, BOP, and Prabowo's Policy Choices
“Peace is not merely the absence of war. It is a virtue,” wrote the philosopher Baruch Spinoza.
Policy is a matter of choice. Every policy involves a payoff and a trade-off. There are gains and losses. One key concern in President Prabowo’s foreign policy is strengthening relations with Gulf countries.
Recent diplomatic efforts have yielded results. A particularly remarkable achievement is with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where Indonesia has been permitted to build an ‘Indonesian village’ in Mecca al-Mukarramah. This idea first emerged 40 years ago during President Soeharto’s leadership. The excellent relations between the two countries led the Saudi government to amend its laws to grant Indonesia’s request.
Currently, through Danantara, Indonesia has acquired three hotel towers and 4.4 hectares of land from Thakher Development Company for the development of 13 towers. It is also processing the acquisition of 84 hectares of land less than 2 km from the Masjidil Haram in the Hindawiyah hill area, located on Jalan Mansyuriah and Jalan Khalidiyah. On this land, dozens of apartment and hotel tower blocks, a health services centre, a business centre, and supporting facilities for Indonesian hajj and umrah pilgrims will be built.
THE ETIQUETTE OF GIVING AND RECEIVING
In diplomacy, bilateral cooperation means mutual give-and-take. The same applies to Indonesia’s relations with Gulf countries. The Indonesian government needs to harmonise and synchronise its foreign policy.
This is evident in Indonesia’s stance when Gulf countries invited Indonesia to join the Board of Peace (BOP). They hope that Indonesia, as the world’s most populous Muslim nation, can play a decisive role in steering the ‘ship’ of BOP towards its ultimate goal: the realisation of an independent State of Palestine.
However, everything became complicated when the Israel-US war against Iran erupted. Indonesia’s position became difficult due to the involvement of Iran. We know there are currently strained relations between Gulf countries and the Tehran government. This makes Indonesia’s stance appear non-neutral, especially regarding the positions of Gulf countries on one side and Iran on the other.
PAYOFF AND TRADE-OFF
As mentioned at the beginning, policy is about choices. Every policy has a payoff and a trade-off. There are gains and missed opportunities. There are opportunities seized, but also those that must be sacrificed.
President Prabowo’s policy choice regarding the BOP and the US-Israel war against Iran is correct. As President of Indonesia, Prabowo has prioritised Indonesian interests. Specifically for Muslim community interests, he has successfully made a policy breakthrough, realising a 40-year dream: having a ‘hajj village’ in the Holy Land. Even after making this choice, it does not mean ignoring the importance of maintaining good relations with the Tehran government.
The Indonesian government has decided to suspend or place on ‘hold’ all discussions regarding participation in the Board of Peace (BOP) mechanism.
Subhan Yusuf assesses that Indonesia’s participation in the Board of Peace (BOP) is a strategic foreign policy in line with the Constitution’s mandate.
Indonesia’s joining of the Board of Peace (BoP) or Peace Council in January still sparks debate and leaves questions. It has ignited public discourse and serious reflection.
The absence of official Palestinian representation in the initial BoP forum is a crucial variable worth noting.
President Prabowo Subianto received appreciation from US President Donald Trump during the first Board of Peace (BoP) meeting.
President Prabowo Subianto claims that Indonesia is the first to own land in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The land will be used for the Indonesian Hajj Village.
President Prabowo Subianto attended the Mujahadah Kubro event commemorating the 100th anniversary of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) at Gajayana Stadium, Malang, East Java, on Sunday (8/2).
The permission to build the hajj village requires Indonesia to provide high-quality, transparent, and accountable hajj services.
Menhaj Gus Irfan emphasised that the Hajj Village in Saudi Arabia can only be partially used starting in 2028. Construction is now fully controlled by Danantara.
Regarding Indonesia’s successful bid for land in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for the Hajj Village construction, the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH) will be involved.