Indonesia’s move to join Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ stirs debate on foreign policy shift

Indonesia’s decision to join US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” has raised eyebrows at home, with critics zeroing in on how it deviated from Jakarta’s values by serving the interests of only the US and Israel instead of Palestine.Some observers, however, argue that the move is “consistent” with Indonesia’s proactive foreign policy stance and allows it access to major powers.President Prabowo Subianto was among several world leaders flanking Trump at Thursday’s signing of the board’s charter on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum. More than 20 other countries have joined – including Albania, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Hungary, Israel, Kosovo, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam.“Indonesia’s presence is certainly a form of international recognition of Indonesian diplomacy, position and views on world peace in general and peace in the region in particular,” Foreign Minister Sugiono said in a video statement released on Friday.The president had “carefully considered various strategic aspects” before he decided to join the board, according to Sugiono.US President Donald Trump holds up the signed “Board of Peace” charter on Thursday. Photo: EPA“Palestinian independence and recognition of Palestinian sovereignty are things we have been striving for. The Board of Peace is one concrete alternative we can currently rely on to achieve these goals,” he said. “We will ensure that the efforts carried out by the Board of Peace remain focused on Palestinian independence and the achievement of a two-state solution.”