MPR Urges Prabowo to fulfil BoP pledge after US-Israel attack on Iran

Leadership of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) has pressed the Indonesian government on its commitment regarding Indonesia’s membership within the Board of Peace (BoP), which was conceived and established by United States President Donald Trump. This followed Trump’s leadership in collaboration with Israel to attack Iran, escalating tensions in the Middle East during this Ramadan.

Deputy Speaker Hidayat Nur Wahid urged the government to withdraw Indonesia from the BoP formed by Trump, saying it no longer aligns with the original vision of peace, especially in the Middle East. He highlighted that the US moves are now triggering wars and drawing other countries in the region into conflicts.

“But what is happening is that wars are being waged everywhere. So I think it would be wise for him to consider this seriously, and more than 64 figures and about 60 organisations have signed a petition for Indonesia to exit BoP,” Wahid said at the Parliament complex in Jakarta on Tuesday (3 March).

The PKS senior politician then appreciated the demands by several civil society organisations for Indonesia to withdraw from BoP following the escalating geopolitics in the Middle East after the US-Israel strike on Iran, which reportedly killed its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Wahid stated that he does not want Indonesia to become a stamp or legitimacy for the US to widen the war.

“Because BoP appears to be enlarging the war, not containing it,” he added.

“It turns out that with BoP the war does not stop; it spreads everywhere,” Wahid continued.

Earlier, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) openly criticised the position of the Board of Peace (BoP), which was conceived and formed by US President Donald Trump for the Gaza and Middle East stability issues, as the US collaborated with Israel in bombarding Iran with rockets or missiles.

According to MUI, the US in this conflict is playing a role through BoP.

“Therefore, MUI urges the Indonesian government to withdraw from BoP as it is considered ineffective at realising true peace in Palestine,” the statement read in MUI’s Tausiyah letter No: Kep-28/DP-MUI/III/2026.

Additionally, Muhammadiyah’s Central Leadership urged the United Nations (UN) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to take a stance and to impose sanctions on the US and Israel for attacking Iran.

Criticism also came from the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI). Quoting its official site, PGI expressed concern over the escalation and military actions in the Middle East, as they could trigger a global crisis, and urged the relevant parties to halt them.

In a statement signed by PGI’s General Chairman Jacklevyn Frits Manuputty and General Secretary Darwin Dharmawan, PGI said the situation has caused regional instability and increased the risk of conflicts spreading between nations.

“PGI condemns various military actions undertaken by several countries, including the involvement of the United States and Israel against Iran, the Pakistan–Afghanistan conflict, and Iran’s military retaliation in the region, which are seen to widen the circle of violence and threaten international security,” the statement read.

PGI also called for halting all military actions and urged the UN, international bodies, governments, and the global community to prioritise dialogue and to comply with international humanitarian law.

Sticking with BoP, It can be evaluated

However, according to remarks from several parties who met with President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday night, Indonesia’s membership in BoP remains in place for the time being.

That Tuesday night, Prabowo invited former presidents and vice-presidents, former foreign ministers, and the heads of parliaments’ political parties to the Presidential Palace in Jakarta. The meeting discussed the escalation of the war between Iran, the United States, and Israel.

The meeting lasted about four hours, beginning at 19:30 WIB, with guests leaving around 23:30 WIB.

After the meeting, NasDem Party chairman Surya Paloh said Indonesia would remain in BoP. Nevertheless, Paloh noted that Prabowo was not closed to reevaluating Indonesia’s membership in BoP in the current circumstances.

“As of today, perhaps still in that position, unless there is a development with several other countries later, to reevaluate the meaning of Indonesia’s presence in BoP with other countries,” Paloh said.

Paloh said at the meeting Prabowo also outlined his decision to bring Indonesia into BoP.

“He reiterated how to maintain an independent and active foreign policy, and the strong sympathy and empathy for the Palestinian people’s struggle was reaffirmed,” he said.

Former Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda, who was also present at the palace, said Prabowo explained that BoP’s prospects for success may be diminished due to the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East.

“This was also conveyed again. Especially with the war in Iran, the prospects that BoP and the mission aimed at ceasefire, armistice, humanitarian aid, rehabilitation, and reconstruction may be reduced,” Hasan said after the meeting at the palace last night.

Hasan sensed that Prabowo is also beginning to see that BoP’s success in achieving its peace mission is declining. He again stated that Prabowo himself is ready to reevaluate Indonesia’s membership in BoP amid the escalating conflict.

“There is a sense of that, and from his communications with other heads of state, especially with OKI member states, the sense is that BoP’s potential to succeed is diminishing,” he said.

Hasan also said Prabowo is still weighing the next steps to be taken.