Indonesia Says Gaza Peace Board Won’t Divide ASEAN
Jakarta. Indonesia recently said that its seat at the Board of Peace for Gaza would not deter ASEAN solidarity, despite the group failing to gain traction in the Southeast Asian region.
US President Donald Trump has introduced the Board of Peace as a body meant to fast-track the Gaza ceasefire and reconstruction. Within the 11-strong ASEAN, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Vietnam are the only ones that have signed up to the board. Indonesian Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Yvonne Mewenkang said that Jakarta’s membership in the group would not affect ASEAN solidarity.
“ASEAN has a principle that the members should respect each other’s domestic policies. In this context, we will make sure our participation in the board does not disrupt ASEAN solidarity in any way,” Yvonne told a press conference in Jakarta on Friday.
“We actually hope that our experience and diplomacy that we have gained at the board can be helpful for this region. Three ASEAN countries are committed to participate in the board. We don't see any issue within ASEAN,” Yvonne said.
ASEAN as a regional bloc has not issued a joint statement to the board that US President Donald Trump will helm in perpetuity. Despite widespread criticisms at home, Foreign Minister Sugiono has repeatedly said that Jakarta’s participation in the group reflected a “strategic, constructive, and concrete step to support Palestinian independence”.
Jakarta’s close neighbor Singapore to this day is still assessing the US invitation. Malaysia also does not want to rush with the membership, but promised to remain committed to helping Palestinians.
Indonesia is the only one out of the three ASEAN joiners to have plans on making a financial contribution. Southeast Asia’s biggest economy is still calculating how much it should donate to the board. Vahd Nabyl A Mulachela — another spokesperson to the Foreign Ministry — said a week ago that Jakarta had “not decided on the amount and the date of the transfer”.
Countries are not required to pay the $1 billion fee unless it seeks a permanent seat on the Board of Peace.
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