Indonesia to play balancing role in Trump's Board of Peace

 Indonesia’s inclusion in the Board of Peace (BoP), initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump, will position the country as a balancing power among major players in the organization, according to a former Indonesian foreign minister.

Hassan Wirajuda, Indonesia’s foreign minister from 2001 to 2009, explained that the country decided to join the BoP following a series of consultations with partners on the sidelines of the last UN General Assembly session, as well as separate consultations with seven Muslim-majority countries.

"Eight Muslim countries can serve as a balancing power on the Board of Peace, including on decisions that the organization will take," Wirajuda stated after meeting President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace complex here on Wednesday.

"There are concerns that Trump has extraordinary powers and that there may be a lack of checks on it, but at least the presence of eight Muslim countries can balance the process in the Board of Peace," he added.

Addressing concerns that the BoP may operate outside or undermine the UN framework, Wirajuda said it should not be viewed a priori, noting that many international conflicts have been resolved through mechanisms outside the UN system.

Meanwhile, Wirajuda considered the meeting with President Prabowo as a valuable opportunity to get a thorough explanation from the head of state, especially on his decision to bring Indonesia into BoP.

Wirajuda also said he understood that, because many aspects of diplomacy are confidential, incomplete information from mass or social media could lead to premature conclusions, which were later clarified during the Wednesday audience with the president.

At the same occasion, Alwi Shihab, Indonesia's foreign minister from 1999 to 2001, stated that during the audience, President Prabowo emphasized that Indonesia's inclusion in the BoP is to support the Palestinian cause and the realization of the two-state solution.

Shihab also noted that President Prabowo had assured Indonesia may withdraw from the BoP if its later decisions or activities violate the constitution.

"The president said that if the Board of Peace is not in line with the aspirations of the Indonesian nation, we can conveniently withdraw from the organization," the former foreign minister remarked.