Prabowo Urged to Exit Board of Peace; Expert Says Palestine Respects Indonesia's Strategy
Debate regarding Indonesia’s position within the Board of Peace (BoP) continues to unfold domestically. Whilst pressure has emerged for President Prabowo Subianto to withdraw Indonesia from the regional stability initiative launched by US President Donald Trump, geopolitical experts argue that Indonesia’s presence in the BoP constitutes a constitutional and internationally recognised strategic step.
Teguh Santosa, Director of Geopolitics at GREAT Institute, emphasises that Indonesia’s support for Palestinian independence should not be questioned. He notes that Palestine itself, through its newly appointed Ambassador, Abdalfatah A.K. Alsattari, has demonstrated substantial confidence in the diplomacy pursued by the Indonesian government.
Teguh stated that Palestine recognises and respects the various efforts Indonesia undertakes to support Palestinian independence across international forums, including the BoP. “Indonesia’s support for Palestine should not be questioned. Palestine knows and deeply respects Indonesia’s position and strategy of struggle,” said the lecturer in International Relations at Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN) in a statement.
Teguh cited the recent meetings between Ambassador Alsattari and several Indonesian figures and officials, demonstrating Palestine’s trust in the strategic steps taken by President Prabowo. When visiting the Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI), for instance, the Palestinian Ambassador conveyed that his government respects Indonesia’s decision and views it as a courageous move and concrete action to help the Palestinian people, particularly in Gaza.
Teguh also refuted the notion that the BoP operates outside the international system. He explained that the BoP is a legitimate instrument established through UN Security Council Resolution 2803, which was adopted in November 2025. “If we read Resolution 2803 carefully, it becomes clear that the BoP is guided by various countries’ peace proposals to create peace in Gaza whilst championing Palestinian sovereignty,” he explained.
The resolution stipulates that Palestinian Authority reform and Gaza’s reconstruction represent a credible path towards self-determination. Teguh emphasised that the dialogue point for Israel and Palestine to live together peacefully within the resolution aligns with the principle of the Bandung Principles of 1955, namely peaceful coexistence. “Criticism is necessary as a reminder, but it should be conveyed within a clear framework so as not to disturb the objectivity of our diplomatic struggle,” he concluded.
Primary criticism from academics and international relations observers contends that the BoP harbours a hidden agenda to strengthen US hegemony and its allies in the conflict region. Indonesia, which has consistently upheld the principles of a free and active foreign policy, is feared to become trapped in the singular interests of a particular bloc.
Meanwhile, since the BoP’s official formation, Israel has shown no signs of restraint in attacking Gaza and continues to violate ceasefire agreements. Most recently, a Palestinian man was killed by Israeli forces on Friday, 27 February, in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza.