Researchers assess Prabowo's outreach to ulama to strengthen Indonesia's position in BoP
Jakarta — Lili Romli, Senior Researcher at the Center for Political Research within the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), said that President Prabowo Subianto’s invitation to ulama and Islamic community organisations to the Presidential Palace constitutes an important asset for strengthening Indonesia’s diplomacy in relation to membership of the Board of Peace (BoP).
Romli explained that every issue that concerns the public interest should ideally be consulted with religious leaders to obtain input so that the decisions and policies taken by the government are not counterproductive or controversial.
“Such support from these figures may come after hearing the president’s explanation of why Indonesia is becoming part of BoP. That support will certainly be an important asset for the President in his BoP membership,” she said when contacted by ANTARA in Jakarta on Friday.
She said the support from the figures provides input on Indonesia’s stance in defending Palestine as a core matter in supporting the country’s right to independence for that nation.
“With that support, it certainly lends legitimacy to the task that within BoP Indonesia must truly strive to defend Palestine as a people with the right to self-determination,” she added.
Romli also assessed that the President’s move to invite figures, including religious leaders, to gather input is a positive aspect of democracy.
Previously, the President invited religious figures comprising the general chairmen of Islamic mass organisations, the heads of pesantren and mubaligh to pay a courtesy call at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday, 5 March.
That invitation was intended to receive the aspirations of elements of society and to provide explanations regarding BoP membership or becoming a mediator with Middle Eastern countries.
Nusron Wahid, Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency (ATR/BPN), who accompanied the President in the meeting with ulama and Islamic community organisations at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta on Thursday, 5 March, said the President was open to various inputs and criticisms regarding a proposal that Indonesia suspend or even withdraw from BoP membership.
Nusron, who also serves as the MUI’s Disaster Management head, said President Prabowo has a duty to provide a full explanation of Indonesia’s position in BoP membership.
“If there are suggestions like that, the government is not anti-criticism. We listen while observing the situation,” he said.
According to Nusron, the President has never closed himself off and listens to all inputs and criticisms from various parties, and the government regards forums like BoP as an important vehicle for pursuing peace. He also said that the government’s current stance is to position BoP as part of Indonesia’s diplomatic endeavour to foster peace.