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View all search resultsEx-foreign ministers back Prabowo's foreign policy, government claims
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President Prabowo Subianto (front, center) poses for a group photo with senior figures from Indonesia’s foreign policy community, including Dino Pati Jalal (front, left), former Indonesian ambassador to the United States; Retno L. Marsudi (front, sixth left), Hassan Wirajuda (front, seventh right) and Marty Natalegawa (front, sixth right), all former foreign affairs ministers; and Jusuf Wanandi (front, third right), cofounder of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and vice chair of the CSIS Foundation’s board of trustees, following a meeting on geopolitics at the State Palace in Central Jakarta on Feb. 4. (Presidential Secretriat/Presidential Secretriat)
T
he government claimed that the country’s international relations community had backed President Prabowo Subianto’s foreign policy, following a closed-door meeting at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, though analysts warned the gathering may have been aimed at neutralizing critics rather than engaging the public.
The meeting brought together prominent figures including former foreign ministers Alwi Shihab, Hassan Wirajuda, Marty Natalegawa and Retno LP Marsudi, as well as senior diplomats Triyono Wibowo and Dino Patti Djalal, to discuss “geopolitical issues”, including Indonesia’s widely criticized decision to participate in the United States-led Board of Peace.
Many argued that joining the board, which presents itself as an international forum for Gaza’s reconstruction, could contradict Indonesia’s long-standing support for the Palestinian struggle, as it appears to grant Israel an outsized role while excluding Palestinian representatives.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Foreign Minister Sugiono said it was intended to “synchronize views” and “solidify a common understanding” of the government’s policy direction, particularly on foreign affairs.
“I did not see pros and cons, though there were obviously varying perspectives being discussed. In the end, everything, particularly related to foreign affairs, was viewed unanimously,” Sugiono said.
Read also: Indonesia condemns Israeli strikes amid fears of softening stance
Former deputy foreign minister Dino, who had previously urged caution regarding Indonesia’s participation on the board, said after the meeting that joining was the only realistic way to push for a ceasefire and lasting peace.
