February 4, 2026 | 10:26 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Yahya Cholil Staquf, Chair of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU), attended a meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta. In a closed forum attended by Islamic community organizations, Prabowo explained his government's decision to join the Board of Peace.
Yahya said Prabowo remains vigilant after joining this US-initiated organization. "The President said that everything will be done with vigilance, with the non-negotiable principle of protecting, defending, and assisting the Palestinian people," Yahya said after the meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
According to Yahya, the government will remain vigilant in responding to any initiatives related to Palestine. The PBNU, Yahya said, warned Indonesia not to fall into schemes that would harm the Palestinian people.
However, the PBNU continues to support Prabowo's move to join the Board of Peace. "We understand the steps taken by the President, with a message to avoid being easily swayed by currents that could ultimately harm Palestine," Yahya said.
Furthermore, Yahya said, Prabowo also emphasized that Indonesia continues to coordinate with Muslim-majority countries that are also members of the Board of Peace. There are at least eight Muslim-majority countries, including Indonesia, on the Board of Peace.
"So the steps taken within the Council will be a consolidated effort among countries that share the same motivation, namely to defend and assist Palestine," Yahya said.
The Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) also supports Indonesia's move to pay a US$1 billion contribution to become a permanent member of the Board of Peace. According to Yahya, the money is needed for the reconstruction of Gaza after the Israeli aggression.
President Prabowo invited several Islamic community organizations to the Presidential Palace on Tuesday. More than 50 people were invited to the Palace for discussions with Prabowo, including one regarding the Board of Peace. Some of the organizations in attendance included Muhammadiyah, the Indonesian Ulema Council, and Nahdlatul Ulama.
The closed-door meeting was also attended by several state officials. Cabinet members in attendance included Foreign Minister Sugiono, State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, and Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar.
Yahya's stance drew criticism from within the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU). Previously, Ahmad Tajul Mafakhir, Secretary of the PBNU Syuriyah (Islamic Board of Nahdlatul Ulama), stated that Yahya's support for Indonesia's joining the Board of Peace was a personal opinion.
Gus Tajul, known as Gus Tajul, stated that Yahya's statement at a press conference at the PBNU building was not the organization's position. He stated that there had not yet been an official PBNU meeting to discuss the Board of Peace.
Gus Tajul admitted to being surprised when contacted about Yahya's statement, as there had been no organizational mechanism to address this crucial issue.
"To date, there has never been an official internal meeting within the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) to discuss, let alone approve, this matter," said Gus Tajul in a written statement on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
Gus Tajul explained that the PBNU has a strict mechanism for making strategic decisions, especially those concerning relations with the government or public policy. He emphasized that such decisions should be made through deliberations involving the Syuriyah and Tanfidziyah (Islamic Advisory Council) ranks.
"Unilateral claims as if this is the PBNU's position, even though there has never been a meeting, have the potential to cause confusion at the grassroots level," he said.
On Friday, January 30, 2026, Yahya expressed his support for President Prabowo's decision to join the Board of Peace. According to Yahya, Indonesia's decision to join the council, initiated by US President Donald Trump, was the right step to maintain its commitment to support Palestine.
Read: Key Outcomes of Prabowo's Meeting With Islamic Groups on Board of Peace
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