MUI vice-chairman: BoP proposed by those who do not back peace, Indonesia should withdraw
Jakarta, KOMPAS.com - Cholil Nafis, Deputy General Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), has urged Indonesia to exit the Board of Peace (BoP) because it was initiated by US President Donald Trump, who he says does not take a pro-peace stance. ‘I think the BoP issue is the same; if we request, it is not effective, just withdraw,’ Cholil said ahead of attending a iftar gathering with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and other Muslim organization leaders at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday (5/3/2026).
Cholil views that the BoP is currently not effective in easing the Iran–US and Israel conflict. ‘So we see that it is not effective being in the BoP because the initiator also does not present a track record or current stance that favours peace,’ he said.
Furthermore, he hopes Indonesia can participate in peace-building in line with the principle of independent and active foreign policy amid a warming money-war in the Middle East. He believes every country should respect the sovereignty of others. ‘Let us not let this war burden civilians. We also hope this can create peace by maximising the roles of the UN and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), because everyone will lose if this war continues,’ he explained.
Israel was the first to confirm that it officially attacked Iran. Iran’s top leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the strike. Missiles rained down on Tehran. Iran retaliated by firing several missiles at locations linked to the US military operation. Some US air bases attacked include Al Udeid in Qatar, Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al-Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, and the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain. As of now, security remains unsettled, including security in the wider region of the Middle East. KOMPAS.com is committed to providing clear, credible, and balanced facts. Support the continuity of transparent journalism and enjoy ad-free reading through Membership. Join KOMPAS.com Plus now.