Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – The Presidential Palace clarified that the meeting with several Islamic organizations was a routine gathering to discuss current issues, not a response to criticism of Indonesia joining the so-called Board of Peace.
Deputy Minister of State Secretariat Bambang Eko Suhariyanto said on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at the DPR complex in Jakarta, "No, it's just a presidential gathering."
He added that the head of state often invites community leaders and that there was no controversy surrounding the meeting.
President Prabowo Subianto met with more than 50 representatives from major Islamic organizations, including Muhammadiyah, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), and Nahdlatul Ulama, at the State Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
Several government officials, including Foreign Minister Sugiono, State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, Minister of Religion Nasaruddin Umar, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, were also present.
Chair of MUI Cholil Nafis said that during the closed meeting, Prabowo promised Indonesia would withdraw from the Board of Peace if the organization could not advocate for Palestinian independence.
"If they can't bring about change, he (Prabowo) is ready to withdraw from the Board of Peace. That's what I understood," Cholil said.
Prabowo also indicated that Indonesia could abstain from decisions made by the Board of Peace that did not align with the principle of Palestinian independence.
"He responded that we can opt out from participating in the decisions made in the Board of Peace if they do not align with our opinion," Cholil added.
Cholil emphasized that the Board should not act as an extension of U.S. policy under former President Donald Trump. Prior to the meeting, MUI had criticized Indonesia's participation, citing the presence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the lack of a Palestinian state.
The organization also raised concerns about the US$1 billion membership fee and the potential for the initiative to serve neo-colonial interests rather than genuine peace.
Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim, MUI chair for Foreign Relations and International Cooperation, described the Board of Peace as structurally flawed.
"The involvement of Israel as an equal member, rather than as an occupying power that should be held accountable, is a fundamental flaw," he said.
He warned that the scheme could reduce the Palestinian issue to conflict management rather than justice and independence, emphasizing that true peace must restore rights, dignity, and sovereignty to the Palestinian people.
– Ervana Trikarinaputri contributed to the writing of this article.