Mahfud MD Criticises Indonesia's Joining of Board of Peace, Reminds of Bandung Principles
Jakarta — Mahfud MD, former Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, has criticised Indonesia’s participation in the Board of Peace (BoP), an initiative launched by US President Donald Trump, as insufficiently strategic.
Mahfud stated that many parties have protested Indonesia’s involvement in the forum from the outset. He identified one of the principal concerns as the imbalanced composition of BoP membership.
The forum, which addresses peace in Palestine and the Middle East, notably excludes Palestinian representation from its inception. “It is impossible to discuss justice without including the party that would be subject to the object of peace decisions,” Mahfud said during a meeting in Senen, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday (10 March 2026).
He expressed uncertainty about the forum’s legal standing, including the basis for its establishment and the nature of agreements it would produce. “What exactly is it? What is it discussing? Is the product a multilateral agreement, a memorandum of understanding, or something else? It is unclear,” he stated emphatically.
Mahfud also cited widespread criticism from the public, as many consider the BoP’s existence inconsistent with the Bandung Principles — the ten fundamental principles of international relations agreed upon at the Asia-Africa Conference held in Bandung, Indonesia, in 1955.
According to Mahfud, these principles emphasise equality among nations, rejection of colonialism and aggression, and recognition of every nation’s right to self-determination. “The Board of Peace does not appear to embody these principles; the Bandung Principles are not evident in it,” he explained.
During the meeting, the government indicated that Indonesia could withdraw from the BoP should the forum fail to provide benefits. However, Mahfud assessed that recent developments in the Middle East should prompt Indonesia to reconsider its continued participation in the BoP.