March 13, 2026 | 09:15 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former Vice President Jusuf Kalla said Indonesia would face no major consequences if it decides to withdraw from the Board of Peace (BoP) initiative launched by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Kalla said Washington might threaten countries that leave the initiative with higher reciprocal tariffs, but noted that the Supreme Court of the United States had previously limited such tariffs to a maximum of 15 percent.
“Don’t forget that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that it cannot exceed 15 percent. So even if someone leaves, there won’t be any consequences,” Kalla said at his residence in South Jakarta on Thursday, March 12, 2026, after meeting with several former Indonesian ambassadors.
Speaking as a senior political figure outside the current administration, Kalla said Indonesia’s government must carefully consider its position on the BoP. However, he added that leaving the initiative should not pose a major problem for Jakarta.
Kalla acknowledged that the initiative was originally intended to promote peace, particularly in relation to the conflict in Palestine. But he questioned its credibility after the United States launched attacks on Iran only days after the initiative was signed.
“I say the BoP has good intentions as long as it thinks about peace, not war — not the Board of War, but the Board of Peace,” he said.
He expressed hope that the initiative could still contribute to peace efforts. According to Kalla, President Prabowo Subianto had also indicated that Indonesia could withdraw if the initiative no longer aligns with the country’s objectives.
“Let’s stick to that,” Kalla said.
Kalla previously argued that the BoP does not yet reflect genuine efforts to create peace, pointing to the dominant role of the United States in the institution. Under the structure proposed by Washington, the U.S. president would serve as chair and hold veto power in decision-making.
“I said the BoP is fine, but only if it can secure or create peace in Palestine. But shortly after being signed, America is already at war. How is that possible? If it’s like that, there’s no benefit,” he said.
He also questioned how an organization with a peace mission could function effectively if its leading member is engaged in military operations.
“It was just signed in Davos in February, and a month later Iran was attacked,” he added.
Earlier, Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia said the government had postponed discussions about the BoP following the escalation of conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel this month.
The ministry said Jakarta is currently focused on monitoring developments in the conflict and ensuring the safety of Indonesian citizens in the region.
Read: Prabowo, DEN Chief Luhut Discuss Impact of US-Israel-Iran War
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