Willing to 'Fight from Within', Prabowo's Reason for Joining the Board of Peace

President Prabowo Subianto says Indonesia’s decision to join the Board of Peace (BoP) as a member was the result of a long process and discussions with leaders in the Gulf region. The remarks were conveyed by Muhadjir Effendy, Chairman of the Muhammadiyah Central Leadership’s Economics, Business, and Halal Industry Division, quoting the President during a gathering and iftar with ulama, leaders of civil society organisations, and leaders of pesantrens in the central courtyard of the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on the evening of Thursday, 5 March 2026. ‘He emphasised that his involvement in BoP was not instantaneous, but had gone through a long process; discussed with several leaders in the region, particularly in the Gulf, who then agreed to join,’ Muhadjir said.

In a meeting that lasted more than three hours, President Prabowo provided a detailed explanation of Indonesia’s membership in BoP, especially amid the escalation of the conflict in Iran involving the United States and Israel. According to Muhadjir, Prabowo stressed that his involvement in BoP is a strategy he has chosen, described as fighting from within or ‘strategy from within’. The strategy was chosen as a means for Indonesia to advocate for peace and for the recognition of Palestine’s independence from within the BoP forum.

‘The strategy he chose is what is termed “strategy from within”. So after having been outside for a long time, we are now attempting to fight from within,’ Muhadjir said.

Nevertheless, Muhadjir said he is confident that Prabowo’s joining BoP remains within the constitutional framework and the 1945 Constitution, which emphasises Palestine’s independence. In addition, the Indonesian government is committed to achieving peace through a Two-State Solution between Palestine and Israel, as well as the points in the BoP agreement. ‘We must continue to strive, whatever the risks or consequences; the endeavour to establish a sovereign Palestine must be realised. This is explicitly stated in the 20-point agreement, points 19 and 20, which state that BoP’s objective is the coexistence of the Palestinian state with Israel,’ he said.