Jusuf Hamka on Board of Peace: President a Strategic Expert

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian Chinese Muslim figure Jusuf Hamka has responded to Indonesia’s decision to join the Board of Peace (BoP), expressing confidence that President Prabowo Subianto can lead Indonesia’s participation effectively.

“Most of the BoP members are Muslim countries, so we must trust President Prabowo, a former commander-in-chief who is certainly a strategic expert. We should not be suspicious; we must assume the best,” Jusuf Hamka told reporters at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

Jusuf noted that Indonesia is a member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) but does not hold veto power. He argued that joining the BoP would allow Indonesia to take a more active role in supporting Palestinian independence.

“Now we have a two-thirds veto right. Rather than watching from the sidelines, we should participate,” Jusuf emphasized.

He also expressed his acceptance of any decision made by President Prabowo regarding Indonesia’s stance on the BoP Gaza. “As a good Indonesian citizen and a religious person, sami’naa wa atha’naa (we hear and we obey),” he said.

Jusuf Hamka’s visit to the Presidential Palace was at the invitation of President Prabowo Subianto and other religious leaders. The meeting was scheduled to discuss Indonesia’s participation in the Gaza BoP, an initiative introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump.

President Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to meet with Muslim leaders at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta. Secretary of the Cabinet Teddy Indra Wijaya said the figures who met with President Prabowo included leaders of Islamic organizations, prominent Islamic figures, and several heads of Islamic boarding schools from different regions.

“This afternoon, the President will receive several leaders of Islamic organizations, followed by Islamic figures. There will also be leaders of Islamic boarding schools from various areas,” Secretary Teddy said at the Presidential Palace. (Gusti Panji/Lasti Martina)​