(Jakarta, 25th) Indonesia is ready to deploy 20,000 peacekeeping troops to the Gaza Strip to contribute to maintaining local peace. Indonesian President Prabowo stated that Indonesia will not only contribute manpower, but is also willing to provide funding to support the United Nations' peacekeeping efforts.
While attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Prabowo participated in the general debate on Tuesday morning (September 23, local time; Tuesday evening Singapore time) and delivered Indonesia's national statement. When discussing the situation in the Middle East, Prabowo stated that Indonesia believes in the mission of the United Nations and will continue to contribute wherever peacekeeping is needed. Indonesia "does not just talk, but takes concrete action."
"Once the United Nations Security Council and this great assembly make a decision, Indonesia is ready to send 20,000 or even more of our sons and daughters to help safeguard peace in Gaza."
Prabowo said that regardless of whether it is Ukraine, Sudan, Libya, or any other place, Indonesia is prepared to deploy personnel wherever peacekeeping is needed.
This year's UNGA is taking place in the context of an escalating war in Gaza. Prabowo reaffirmed Indonesia's support for a two-state solution on the Palestine issue. He stated: "Palestine must be independent, but we must also recognize, respect, and guarantee Israel's security. Only then can true peace be achieved."
This year, Indonesia has also recorded the highest rice production and reserves in its history. Prabowo said Indonesia has achieved food self-sufficiency and has begun exporting rice to regions in need, including Palestine.
In his roughly 20-minute speech, Prabowo, with his characteristic fervor, repeatedly emphasized opposition to "might makes right" and that no country should bully the human community. All countries should work together for peace, earning him enthusiastic applause from the assembly.
This was Prabowo's first appearance at the UNGA stage since taking office last year. The Indonesian government also attached great importance to the event, interpreting his third speaking slot as an endorsement of Indonesia’s leadership among the Global South.
Liu Minli, Senior Fellow and Indonesia Program Director at Singapore’s ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, told Lianhe Zaobao that Prabowo displayed confidence at the UNGA. His willingness to dispatch joint forces "clearly signals to the world that Indonesia is ready to lead and be a model global citizen."
"He praised the work of the United Nations, which is both important and timely, especially in an era when some major powers have turned away from multilateral aid and the principle of sovereign equality of nation states."
Virdika Rizky Utama, Executive Director of the Indonesian think tank Para Syndicate, pointed out that although Prabowo's speech was powerful, it was also full of paradoxes: "There is a clear gap between the values he praised and the actual situation we face globally and domestically."
Virdika said that Prabowo spoke of Indonesia’s colonial past, but Indonesia’s current rule in the Papua region also has colonial overtones. Prabowo promised to send peacekeepers to Gaza, but this not only requires massive financial and logistical capacity, it also needs Security Council authorization, which is politically unlikely. Therefore, rather than feasible foreign policy, it is more about attracting attention on moral grounds.
"This speech was more of a moral show, enhancing Indonesia's image, but not a roadmap to structural change."
Prabowo’s performance on the international stage may not necessarily improve his standing in domestic politics. Liu Minli said that Indonesia saw nationwide demonstrations at the end of last month, and Prabowo subsequently reshuffled his cabinet. Indonesians are more concerned about domestic development and whether their living conditions will improve.
"The past year shows that instead of devoting time and energy abroad as he did in his previous role as defense minister, Prabowo needs to focus more domestically on the progress of the policies and initiatives he advocates. He is about to complete his first year in office; it’s time to review which domestic initiatives have worked and which need adjustment."
While attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Prabowo participated in the general debate on Tuesday morning (September 23, local time; Tuesday evening Singapore time) and delivered Indonesia's national statement. When discussing the situation in the Middle East, Prabowo stated that Indonesia believes in the mission of the United Nations and will continue to contribute wherever peacekeeping is needed. Indonesia "does not just talk, but takes concrete action."
"Once the United Nations Security Council and this great assembly make a decision, Indonesia is ready to send 20,000 or even more of our sons and daughters to help safeguard peace in Gaza."
Prabowo said that regardless of whether it is Ukraine, Sudan, Libya, or any other place, Indonesia is prepared to deploy personnel wherever peacekeeping is needed.
This year's UNGA is taking place in the context of an escalating war in Gaza. Prabowo reaffirmed Indonesia's support for a two-state solution on the Palestine issue. He stated: "Palestine must be independent, but we must also recognize, respect, and guarantee Israel's security. Only then can true peace be achieved."
This year, Indonesia has also recorded the highest rice production and reserves in its history. Prabowo said Indonesia has achieved food self-sufficiency and has begun exporting rice to regions in need, including Palestine.
In his roughly 20-minute speech, Prabowo, with his characteristic fervor, repeatedly emphasized opposition to "might makes right" and that no country should bully the human community. All countries should work together for peace, earning him enthusiastic applause from the assembly.
This was Prabowo's first appearance at the UNGA stage since taking office last year. The Indonesian government also attached great importance to the event, interpreting his third speaking slot as an endorsement of Indonesia’s leadership among the Global South.
Liu Minli, Senior Fellow and Indonesia Program Director at Singapore’s ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, told Lianhe Zaobao that Prabowo displayed confidence at the UNGA. His willingness to dispatch joint forces "clearly signals to the world that Indonesia is ready to lead and be a model global citizen."
"He praised the work of the United Nations, which is both important and timely, especially in an era when some major powers have turned away from multilateral aid and the principle of sovereign equality of nation states."
Virdika Rizky Utama, Executive Director of the Indonesian think tank Para Syndicate, pointed out that although Prabowo's speech was powerful, it was also full of paradoxes: "There is a clear gap between the values he praised and the actual situation we face globally and domestically."
Virdika said that Prabowo spoke of Indonesia’s colonial past, but Indonesia’s current rule in the Papua region also has colonial overtones. Prabowo promised to send peacekeepers to Gaza, but this not only requires massive financial and logistical capacity, it also needs Security Council authorization, which is politically unlikely. Therefore, rather than feasible foreign policy, it is more about attracting attention on moral grounds.
"This speech was more of a moral show, enhancing Indonesia's image, but not a roadmap to structural change."
Prabowo’s performance on the international stage may not necessarily improve his standing in domestic politics. Liu Minli said that Indonesia saw nationwide demonstrations at the end of last month, and Prabowo subsequently reshuffled his cabinet. Indonesians are more concerned about domestic development and whether their living conditions will improve.
"The past year shows that instead of devoting time and energy abroad as he did in his previous role as defense minister, Prabowo needs to focus more domestically on the progress of the policies and initiatives he advocates. He is about to complete his first year in office; it’s time to review which domestic initiatives have worked and which need adjustment."