Jakarta. Indonesia signaled on Tuesday that it will withdraw from the Board of Peace for Gaza, an initiative launched by US President Donald Trump, if the body fails to deliver tangible benefits for the Palestinian people.

The position was conveyed by Anwar Iskandar, chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), after meeting President Prabowo Subianto alongside Muslim leaders and representatives of Islamic organizations at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta.

According to Anwar, Prabowo reaffirmed that Indonesia’s participation in the board is intended to advance Palestinian independence and sovereignty, while also easing humanitarian suffering in Gaza.

“The president’s first commitment is to genuinely fight within the Board of Peace for the full independence and sovereignty of Palestine,” Anwar said. “At the same time, he is committed to using this forum to help alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza.”

Anwar added that Indonesia — along with other Muslim-majority countries involved — would not hesitate to leave the board if it ultimately fails to benefit Palestinians or contribute to global peace.

“If, in the future, this organization does not bring benefit or goodness to Palestine and to world peace, then all the Islamic countries gathered there will withdraw from the Board of Peace,” he said.

The remarks come amid domestic debate over Indonesia’s decision to join the board, which was announced following Prabowo's meetings with Trump and other participating leaders on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum last month.

The Board of Peace for Gaza was formed as a multilateral platform aimed at coordinating humanitarian assistance, post-conflict stabilization, and longer-term reconstruction in Gaza. The initiative has drawn scrutiny in several countries due to its US sponsorship and concerns over its political orientation.

Earlier in the day, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said Indonesia’s planned $1 billion contribution to the board would be funded through the Defense Ministry’s budget, potentially reducing the ministry’s allocation by about 9% from its Rp 187.1 trillion ($11.1 billion) budget this year.

Purbaya said the funds would be reallocated if necessary, stressing that fiscal management would remain prudent.

Foreign Minister Sugiono later clarified that there is no formal obligation for member states to pay mandatory contributions to the board, leaving open the question of whether Indonesia’s pledge will ultimately be disbursed.

Anwar said the MUI supports Indonesia’s participation in the board as long as its objectives remain humanitarian.

“As long as the commitment is for the benefit of the people, why not?” he said. “There is already a promise that if it brings no benefit, Indonesia will leave.”

However, divisions remain within Indonesia’s Islamic leadership. Cholil Nafis, a deputy chairman of the MUI, has publicly urged Prabowo to withdraw Indonesia from the board, arguing that its decisions do not side with Palestinian interests and that Indonesia should not be involved.

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