Surya Paloh says Prabowo has constructive ideas on the Middle East conflict

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - NasDem Party chairman Surya Paloh said President Prabowo Subianto’s thinking in responding to the Middle East conflict is quite constructive. Paloh conveyed this after attending a meeting at the Istana with President Prabowo Subianto, former presidents, the vice president, and other party leaders in Jakarta, on Tuesday night, 3 March 2026. ‘I think the president’s thoughts, honestly, are still within a quite constructive corridor, to build our collective awareness of the immense challenges facing the nation,’ Paloh said after the meeting. In short, Paloh added, Prabowo emphasised the need to safeguard diplomatic relations with all parties. ‘In other words, how to ensure that diplomatic ties remain firmly preserved with all sides,’ Paloh said. According to Paloh, the war situation involving Israel and Iran was one of the topics discussed at last night’s meeting. ‘That we reaffirm how to maintain an independent and proactive foreign policy, and the strong sense of sympathy and empathy for the Palestinian people’s struggle was reaffirmed,’ Paloh stated. In addition, Prabowo also explained why Indonesia joined the Board of Peace at the meeting. Paloh said Indonesia continues to coordinate and communicate with other countries regarding involvement in the Peace Council, particularly as the escalation in the Middle East has intensified. ‘To today, perhaps we still remain in that position (still a BoP member), unless there is development with several other countries later that would lead to a reassessment of Indonesia’s role on the Board of Peace with other countries,’ he said.