RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s participation in the newly formed Gaza Board of Peace (BoP) could open fresh avenues for diplomacy amid the prolonged deadlock in resolving conflict and humanitarian crises in the Gaza Strip, the House of Representatives Commission I Deputy Speaker Sukamta said.

Speaking at a public discussion titled “Indonesia Join Board of Peace: Untung atau Buntung?” held at the Antara Heritage Center, Pasar Baru, Jakarta, on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, Sukamta described BoP as a flexible global political coordination platform designed to foster dialogue rather than enforce military operations, sanctions, or coercive measures. 

He emphasized that such a role aligns with Indonesia’s long-standing “free and active” foreign policy. "The Board of Peace should be understood as a global dialogue platform," he said, as quoted by Antara. 

"Participation does not automatically bind countries to military action or coercive agendas, which keeps Indonesia’s involvement consistent with its independent foreign policy,” he added.

Sukamta painted a grim picture of Gaza’s current condition, calling it “dark and uncertain,” and urged the international community to explore multiple diplomatic pathways to ease civilian suffering. 

He stressed that BoP is not intended to replace the United Nations Security Council but rather to serve as a non-permanent, soft-power forum that can function when multilateral mechanisms stall due to vetoes and geopolitical polarization.

He added that the initiative could provide greater bargaining space for Global South nations, including Muslim-majority countries and members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which often find themselves sidelined in global peace forums. 

For Indonesia, Sukamta argued, joining BoP represents an opportunity to elevate the narrative of justice and humanitarian concerns in Gaza to the international stage.

Indonesia, he noted, retains full flexibility in shaping its role, whether through pre-diplomacy, humanitarian facilitation, strengthening international law, or contributing non-combat peacekeeping support. 

“There is no obligation to send troops or follow the political agenda of major powers. Our involvement can focus on humanitarian efforts and civilian protection,” he said.

Sukamta also highlighted the momentum of President Prabowo Subianto’s leadership on the global stage, suggesting it offers Indonesia a chance to test its strategic role in major international issues such as Gaza. 

Still, he cautioned that BoP should not be seen as an instant solution, but rather as an additional space for influence amid stagnation in existing multilateral channels.

On reconstruction efforts, Sukamta acknowledged that BoP has yet to finalize a blueprint. Current discussions, he said, revolve around rebuilding civilian infrastructure, establishing interim governance, ensuring post-conflict security, securing long-term humanitarian access, and mobilizing multilateral funding.

“As long as Indonesia’s terms of engagement remain clear, independent, and oriented toward humanitarian principles and international law, participation in BoP can serve as a constructive instrument to help reduce the suffering of the people of Gaza,” Sukamta concluded. ***