Indonesia’s role in US-led ‘Board of Peace’ under scrutiny amid Iran crisis

Indonesia’s involvement in US leader Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” is drawing growing criticism at home as the war in the Middle East intensifies scrutiny of President Prabowo Subianto’s closer engagement with Washington.Critics have urged Jakarta to withdraw from the board and reconsider related policies, including plans to send troops to Gaza and a recent trade arrangement with the United States, while Prabowo has defended his stance as being consistent with the country’s non-aligned foreign policy.Prabowo has previously said he would quit the organisation if it did not benefit Palestinians, while Foreign Minister Sugiono noted last week that discussions about the board were “on hold” as “all attentions had shifted to Iran”. However, Indonesia remains a board member.Small-scale protests against the board have taken place in Jakarta, while religious leaders and rights groups have issued petitions for the government to quit the organsation.Protesters display posters during a rally against Indonesia’s participation in the US-led Board of Peace, outside the parliament in Jakarta on Friday. Photo: AP“Article 11 … of the 1945 constitution stipulates that if the president wishes to conclude an international agreement that has broad and fundamental consequences for the lives of the people … it must be approved by the House of Representatives,” read one such letter from a collective of religious leaders called National Conscience Movement, issued on Friday.