PKS Central Advisory Council Urges Prabowo to Express Condolences to Iran

The Central Advisory Board (MPP) of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) has questioned President Prabowo Subianto’s handling of the death of Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. MPP PKS Chair Mulyanto said that to maintain the consistency of bilateral relations between Jakarta and Tehran, which have existed since the 1950s, Indonesia should immediately express condolences to Khamenei, who died in the aftermath of the US-Israel military strikes over the weekend. ‘This statement would strengthen Indonesia’s image as a country with an independent and active foreign policy,’ Mulyanto said in a written statement on Wednesday, 4 March 2026. He argued that Iran, a country with long-standing diplomatic ties, is one of Indonesia’s oldest bilateral partners and a strategic friend in the Gulf and the Middle East. The cooperation between Indonesia and Iran, he said, is not limited to politics and economics; it also has a long cultural and historical dimension. This track record reinforces the foundation of friendship between the two countries. ‘In this moment of Iran’s national mourning, a condolence message from the Indonesian government would be a mark of respect for more than seven decades of ties,’ he said. He noted that other countries in the region and the Islamic world, such as Malaysia and Turkey, have formally expressed condolences over Khamenei’s death. The two countries have also called for de‑escalation and regional stability. Mulyanto said the actions by Kuala Lumpur and Ankara demonstrate humanitarian empathy, not necessarily equating to political alignment. Indonesia, after all, has long been known for its independent and active foreign policy. ‘Condolences to Iran should not be interpreted as endorsement of the ongoing conflict dynamics,’ he added. Earlier, PDI-P politician Mohamad Guntur Romli also questioned why Prabowo had not yet offered condolences on Khamenei’s death. Through his X account @GunRomli, he reminded readers of the diplomatic ties between Iran and Indonesia. Regarding Prabowo’s initiative to travel to Tehran, the Iranian capital, to serve as a mediator in the conflict, Romli described the move as commendable and a sign of concern for peace. ‘But how can you be a peacemaker and travel to Tehran if you do not even express condolences?’ he tweeted on X @GunRomli, 3 March 2026. Romli has allowed Tempo to quote his tweet. Meanwhile, on Saturday, 28 February, morning local time, the US and Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Iranian territory, including Tehran. The strikes caused infrastructure damage and civilian casualties. In these strikes, Khamenei was reportedly killed. The Iranian government announced a 40-day period of mourning and a week-long public holiday following the death of the Supreme Leader. On Sunday, 1 March 2026, Iran appointed a successor to Khamenei. ‘The President, the Chief Justice, and a member of the Guardian Council will carry out the duties of the Supreme Leader during the vacancy,’ said Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber to IRNA, as reported by Antara. Editor’s note: Could Prabowo become the peace broker in the US-Israel-Iran conflict.