MAARIF Institute Urges Government to Prepare Economic Mitigation in Response to Middle East Escalation

JAKARTA — Andar Nubowo, Executive Director of the MAARIF Institute, urged the central government to strengthen peace diplomacy through multilateral forums such as the United Nations (UN), the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and ASEAN. Indonesia should position itself as a neutral mediator that promotes a ceasefire and peaceful dialogue.

‘The government should also prepare economic mitigation by stabilising energy prices, safeguarding energy reserves, and providing social protection for vulnerable groups, as well as repatriating Indonesian nationals in the conflict regions of the Middle East if the escalation of war increases,’ Andar said in a statement received by Republika on Tuesday, 3 March 2026.

Andar added that local governments should also strengthen interfaith harmony forums, enhance digital literacy to prevent disinformation, and enable early detection of potential mass mobilisation based on sectarian sentiment. Corporations and industries, especially in the energy and logistics sectors, should diversify energy sources, improve supply-chain transparency, and commit to keeping the distribution of food and essential goods stable to prevent speculative pricing against the public.

He also recommended that universities and research institutes strengthen analysis of geopolitical impacts on the national economy, build an early-warning system for digital disinformation, and make strengthening social resilience an urgent agenda.

Finally, the MAARIF Institute recommended philanthropic organisations channel humanitarian aid through formal, neutral, and non-political mechanisms, and strengthen humanitarian solidarity that transcends sectarian divides as a sign of concern for civilian casualties without inflaming theological differences.