EN.malanginspirasi.com – President Prabowo Subianto has firmly rejected narratives claiming Indonesia is “obligated” or has “promised” to contribute US$1 billion to join the Board of Peace (BoP), the international forum initiated by US President Donald Trump to support the Gaza ceasefire and reconstruction.
“Indonesia has not made any payments whatsoever to the BoP, and membership is entirely voluntary and can be withdrawn at any time,” Prabowo stated, according to a release from the State Communication Agency (Bakom) on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
The $1 billion figure refers to a Gaza reconstruction fund and is not mandatory.
Foreign Minister Sugiono reinforced the clarification.
“From the very beginning, I have said this is not a membership fee and not a condition for joining. We are already members — even if we don’t pay, it’s perfectly fine,” he said.
The issue surfaced after Indonesia officially became a member of the BoP during the meeting between President Donald Trump and President Prabowo in Washington D.C. on February 19, 2026. Several social media posts and reports described the US$1 billion as a “permanent membership fee” or a compulsory requirement.
Some claims even suggested member countries must pay to obtain permanent status.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indonesian government immediately refuted these claims. According to Sugiono, contributions to the BoP take many forms: some nations provide funding, others send troops, and some make individual donations through World Bank accounts. Indonesia’s primary contribution is non-financial — deploying troops.
Indonesia’s Priority: Sending Peacekeepers to Gaza
Instead of cash, Prabowo emphasized that Indonesia’s commitment centers on sending up to 8,000 peacekeepers (or more if required) to the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Gaza. The operational costs for these troops are fully covered by Indonesia, not by BoP funds.
“Indonesia is already a member, and our participation does not depend on any fixed payment,” Sugiono stressed.
Membership without payment is valid for three years, while voluntary contributions can lead to permanent status — an option Indonesia has not yet selected.
The BoP was launched by President Trump as a parallel platform outside the United Nations to manage post-ceasefire reconstruction in Gaza. Indonesia joined alongside other Muslim-majority nations including Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, despite criticism from some domestic Islamic groups concerned about deviating from Indonesia’s consistent pro-Palestine position.
Prabowo previously met with 16 major Islamic organizations (including NU, Muhammadiyah, and MUI) to explain Indonesia’s stance. He also stated that Indonesia is ready to withdraw from the BoP if the forum delivers no tangible benefits for Palestine or Indonesia’s national interests — a position reaffirmed following the recent escalation of the Iran-US conflict in the Middle East.
Prabowo’s clear statement has eased public concerns about potential burdens on the State Budget (APBN) amid ongoing fiscal pressure from rising global oil prices.
The government maintains that participation in the BoP fully aligns with Indonesia’s free and active foreign policy: delivering concrete assistance to Palestine without imposing heavy financial obligations.
As of March 2026, Indonesia has not spent a single cent on any BoP fees. Technical discussions regarding voluntary contributions are still underway, including the budgeting mechanism for Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) troops.
