Indonesia’s president has firmly denied reports that the country agreed to pay a $1 billion fee to secure a permanent seat on the controversial “Board of Peace” initiative spearheaded by former US President Donald Trump. The announcement comes amid growing domestic backlash over Indonesia’s involvement in the board, which was formed to support peace efforts in the Gaza conflict. The president emphasized that Indonesia’s commitment is limited to providing peacekeeping troops rather than any financial contribution.
The “Board of Peace” was established following intense negotiations led by the Trump administration in cooperation with Qatar and Egypt, culminating in a ceasefire agreement in October aimed at ending two years of brutal conflict in Gaza. However, the requirement for countries to pay a hefty $1 billion fee to become permanent members has sparked widespread criticism. Many observers have expressed concerns that this arrangement risks turning the board into a “pay-to-play” entity, reminiscent of the United Nations Security Council but with a commercial twist.
Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia’s defense minister and a former general, has faced significant criticism from Muslim groups within the country for his role in joining the board and pledging to send 8,000 peacekeeping troops to Gaza. His attendance at the inaugural meeting of the board in Washington last month was met with mixed reactions, with some questioning whether Indonesia’s involvement aligns with its national interests and the welfare of Palestinians. Prabowo has since stated that Indonesia would withdraw from the board if it fails to deliver tangible benefits to the Palestinian people or if the initiative conflicts with Indonesia’s foreign policy objectives.
In a statement broadcast on his official YouTube channel, Prabowo categorically denied any agreement to pay the $1 billion fee, clarifying that no financial commitments were made on behalf of Indonesia. He reiterated that the country’s participation is focused solely on contributing peacekeeping personnel and that Indonesia remains cautious about any financial obligations that could undermine its sovereignty or economic priorities.
Last month, Prabowo also signed a tariff agreement with the United States, signaling ongoing economic cooperation between the two countries. Nevertheless, he stressed that Indonesia reserves the right to withdraw from any international agreement if its terms or implementation threaten the nation’s interests. This stance reflects Indonesia’s broader approach to balancing international engagement with safeguarding its domestic priorities.
Meanwhile, discussions with Washington regarding the deployment of Indonesian peacekeepers to Gaza have been temporarily suspended. The state news agency Antara reported that the Foreign Ministry spokesman, Vahd Nabyl Achmad Mulachela, confirmed the talks are currently “on hold” as the government evaluates the situation carefully. This pause indicates Indonesia’s cautious approach amid the complex geopolitical dynamics surrounding the Gaza conflict and its own internal political considerations.
