Muhammadiyah Central Leadership Chief: Indonesia Should Withdraw from the Board of Peace

Anwar Abbas, chairman of the Muhammadiyah Central Leadership, said it would be better for Indonesia to withdraw from the Board of Peace than to be humiliated by United States President Donald Trump. He argued Indonesia is a nation anti-colonial, but Trump supports Israel’s colonialism of Palestine. Moreover, Indonesia upholds humanitarianism and justice. He said those values are violated by Donald Trump as instigator and head of the BoP.

Anwar noted there is no point in Indonesia joining the Board of Peace if it cannot replace its chair or become the chair itself. ‘If not possible, it is better to resign. It would be far better and more honourable than being made to feel ashamed and humiliated by Trump,’ he told Tempo on Thursday, 5 March 2026.

From the outset, Anwar said BoP is an institution that cannot be trusted because its chair is morally defective. He said Donald Trump is a strong supporter of Israel. Israel, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, wants to establish a Greater Israel whose territory would cover Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and parts of Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

‘We see that every Palestinian territory already seized by Israel has not been returned to the Palestinians by Netanyahu for security reasons in his country,’ he said. He added that Netanyahu has repeatedly stated he will not recognise the establishment of a Palestinian state. He noted that since the BoP was formed it has not represented Palestinian interests, because Netanyahu is a member of BoP, while Palestine is not involved. ‘I think none of its members would dare to oppose what Trump desires,’ he said.

Anwar described Trump as acting badly and morally compromised. Before attacking Iran, Trump even abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Then he attacked Iran and killed its top leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

‘We are a nation anti-colonial, but Trump supports Israel’s colonisation of Palestine,’ Anwar stated.

Pressure for Indonesia to withdraw from the Board of Peace gained momentum after the United States and its ally Israel launched airstrikes into Iran’s territory over the past weekend. The operation resulted in the deaths of several prominent figures in the Islamic Republic of Iran, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The US initiated the formation of BoP.

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Civil Society Coalition, universities, and students urged President Prabowo Subianto to withdraw Indonesia’s membership status from BoP.

Through MUI’s Thursday a pastoral lecture in the letter Kep-28/DP-MUI/III/2026, MUI urged the government to revoke membership from BoP. The reason is the forum, created by US President Donald Trump, is considered ineffective in realising genuine independence for Palestine. This call for withdrawal is reinforced by Trump’s actions against Iran.

Chairman of MUI’s Foreign Relations Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim said the attack is concrete proof that US President Donald Trump is in fact a peace destroyer. ‘Therefore, BoP is increasingly losing moral, political and even legal legitimacy because it has clearly not been useful in creating true peace and, moreover, justice,’ Sudarnoto said in a written statement, Sunday, 1 March 2026.

Andi Adam Faturahman contributed to writing this article.

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