Megawati and Kuwaiti Ambassador Discuss the Impact of the Middle East Conflict
INFO TEMPO – The fifth President of the Republic of Indonesia and General Chair of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Megawati Soekarnoputri, discussed the ongoing impact of the Middle East conflict with Kuwait’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Khalid Jassim Al-Yassin, in Jakarta on Monday, 18 May 2026. Megawati and Khalid also discussed the excellent relations between the two countries.
“As a mother, I feel profound sorrow at the unpredictable impact of war on the lives of children and mothers in countries afflicted by conflict,” Megawati said as she spoke about the conflict currently unfolding in the Middle East among the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Indonesia, she noted, plays a very important geopolitical role. One of the key points in the Bandung Conference accords is support for Palestinian independence, she added.
The Kuwait Ambassador, according to PDIP Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto, praised Indonesia’s historic backing for the Palestinian people’s struggle. In the Ambassador’s view, what is happening in Palestine may be the last form of colonialism on earth. He also noted that Kuwait and other Arab countries hold Bung Karno’s leadership in high regard for his anti-colonialism struggle, which inspired them.
“The Kuwait Ambassador praised Indonesia’s leadership on the world stage through the Bandung spirit, which embodies solidarity, peace, and anti-colonialism emanating from the Bandung Conference, which also contributed to Kuwait’s independence,” Hasto said as he accompanied Megawati Soekarnoputri. Kuwait, he continued, later joined the Non-Aligned Movement.
Hasto said that, at present, Indonesia has a very important position in the Global South, especially given its history of struggle for independence that inspired Asian and African countries, including Kuwait.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Khalid emphasised that Kuwait has clearly stated that it is not a party to the armed conflict and rejects the use of its territory or airspace as a launchpad for attacks on neighbouring states. “However, over nearly the last two months Kuwait has continued to face intensified attacks.”
The attacks, he said, have targeted civilian facilities, such as airports, oil installations, water treatment facilities, and government buildings, causing casualties. The Iranian attacks are thus a violation of the United Nations Charter and principles of international law. “Under the pretext that these attacks aim to disrupt American facilities and interests in Kuwait,” the Kuwait Ambassador said.
Ambassador Khalid Jassim Al-Yassin emphasised that Kuwait has never interfered in the internal affairs of other countries and remains committed to strengthening peace. “That stance has been conveyed to Iran, but ignored, and attacks against Kuwait continue. We hope Indonesia, with its respected international position, can also support efforts to realise peace in the Middle East,” the Kuwaiti Ambassador added.
The meeting also discussed various solutions to the Middle East war, including the question of the Strait of Hormuz. The Ambassador Khalid stressed the importance of reopening the strait as an international trade route given its vital role in stabilising global energy markets.
In the meeting, Megawati was accompanied by PDIP Central Executives Council Chairman Ahmad Basarah, Foreign Relations Director Hanjaya Setiawan, and PDIP politician M. Guntur Romli. Earlier on the same day, Megawati also received the Cuban Ambassador to Indonesia, Dagmar Gonzalez Grau.