Middle East Conflict: NTB Governor Communicates with Indonesian Ambassadors to Ensure Citizens' Safety
Following brutal and deadly attacks from Israel and the United States against Iran on 28 February, the world has been shaken by escalating conflict in the Middle East region involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
In response to this escalation, Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB) Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal has communicated with several Indonesian embassies (KBRI) to ensure that NTB citizens are in a safe condition. Communications were conducted with the Indonesian Embassies in Teheran (Iran), Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Muscat (Oman), Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), Manama (Bahrain), Doha (Qatar), and Kuwait. During these conversations, all Indonesian diplomatic representatives confirmed that registered Indonesian nationals are under intensive monitoring through networks of Indonesian communities in each country. The ambassadors also reported that contingency plans have been activated as a precautionary measure should the conflict escalate further.
“The ambassadors have ensured that all registered Indonesian nationals are being monitored. Every embassy has activated contingency plans as a mitigation step if the situation develops further,” the governor explained.
The governor coordinated directly with multiple Indonesian ambassadors in Gulf countries and Iran to ensure that Indonesian nationals, particularly those from NTB, remain safe and monitored. The former Indonesian Ambassador to Turkey (2019–2023) emphasised that this step represents a moral responsibility of regional leadership towards its citizens, regardless of where they are located.
“As a regional head, I have a moral responsibility to ensure that NTB citizens abroad remain under state protection, especially in the context of developing geopolitical situations such as the current one,” stated Iqbal on Monday, 2 March.
The governor specifically entrusted NTB citizens to the Indonesian ambassadors to receive maximum attention and protection. “I specifically entrust NTB citizens to the ambassadors. Their safety is a priority,” he asserted.
He also urged families in NTB with relatives in the Middle East region to proactively ensure that their family members’ presence is registered with the nearest Indonesian embassy or consulate. Those not yet registered were asked to immediately contact the official hotline of the Indonesian diplomatic mission in their respective countries.
“To NTB communities with family members in that region, I encourage you to remain calm. Ensure that communication with embassies and consulates is maintained and follow official guidance from Indonesian representatives,” he said.
During these communications, Iqbal also shared his experience in handling the protection of Indonesian nationals in conflict zones during his previous assignment at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This discussion was part of strengthening coordination to ensure that citizen protection operates swiftly, measurably, and adaptively in response to field dynamics.
The NTB governor emphasised that communication and monitoring will not end at this initial stage. Coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Indonesian representatives abroad will be conducted regularly to ensure that developments in the situation can be responded to quickly and appropriately.
“We will continue to monitor and coordinate regularly. Regional government must not be negligent towards global situations that could potentially impact our citizens,” he concluded.