March 23, 2026 | 12:32 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Ahmad Heryawan, a member of Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR) from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), said his party supports the government’s decision to postpone the deployment of peacekeeping forces from Indonesian Military (TNI) to Gaza, Palestine.
He said the worsening conflict in Gaza has heightened risks to personnel safety and raised concerns over the sovereignty of other countries.
“The government’s decision to postpone the deployment of troops is a wise step,” he said in a written statement on Monday, March 23, 2026.
Heryawan, widely known as Aher, said Indonesia’s participation in peacekeeping missions has long been guided by its principle of active non-alignment. He therefore argued that negotiations through the United Nations remain the most appropriate and internationally legitimate path forward.
“That way, Indonesia’s contribution can be effective and internationally recognized,” Aher said.
On Indonesia’s broader stance toward Palestine, Aher urged the government to review its membership in the Board of Peace established by U.S. President Donald Trump. He said the council’s role remains unclear, particularly in ensuring Palestinian independence and sovereignty.
He also called on the government to push for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and to remain committed to supporting a peaceful resolution to the conflict. According to Aher, Indonesia should not limit its role to the possible deployment of peacekeeping troops, but should also intensify diplomatic efforts in international forums and expand humanitarian assistance.
“Indonesia must continue to prioritize humanitarian diplomacy, strengthen support for the Palestinian people, and advocate for a just and peaceful solution,” said Aher, who chairs the DPR’s People’s Aspiration Board.
The postponement of the TNI peacekeeping mission to Gaza was previously announced by State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi. He said the government was considering delaying the deployment of 8,000 TNI personnel because of the escalating conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
The president’s spokesperson did not specify how long the postponement would last.
“Yes, until an unspecified time,” he said on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
Hendrik Yaputra contributed to the writing of this article.
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