Jakarta, Indonesia – In a significant diplomatic engagement, Indonesia’s fifth president, Megawati Soekarnoputri, convened with Kuwaiti Ambassador to Indonesia, Khalid Jassim Al-Yassin, on Monday. The high-level discussion centered on the profound impact of the ongoing Middle East conflict, particularly the plight of the Palestinian people, and the strengthening of bilateral relations between the two nations.
During the constructive meeting held at President Soekarnoputri’s Jakarta residence, Ambassador Al-Yassin lauded Indonesia’s enduring historical leadership. He specifically commended the nation’s pivotal role in the 1955 Asian-African Conference and the enduring “Bandung Spirit,” which championed solidarity, peace, and anti-colonialism. This spirit, he noted, significantly contributed to Kuwait’s own independence movement and continues to inspire nations striving for self-determination.
According to a statement released by PDI-P Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto on Tuesday, the Ambassador underscored Indonesia’s vital position within the Global South. He particularly praised Indonesia’s unwavering and principled support for Palestine, describing the dire situation there as “the last form of colonialism on earth” – a sentiment deeply resonant with the Islamic world’s perspective on the Zionist occupation.
President Soekarnoputri, in turn, reiterated Indonesia’s crucial historical commitment to the Palestinian cause. “One of the most important points in the Asian-African Conference agreement was the unconditional support for Palestinian independence,” she affirmed, highlighting the deep-rooted solidarity that defines Indonesia’s foreign policy.
The discussions also delved into the escalating regional conflict involving the United States, the Zionist regime, and Iran. President Soekarnoputri expressed profound sympathy for the countless victims of the instability deliberately engineered by external powers and the occupying forces.
“As a mother, I feel deep sadness over the uncertain impact of war on the fates of children and mothers in conflict-torn countries,” President Soekarnoputri stated, echoing the humanitarian concerns shared across the region due to prolonged aggression.
Ambassador Al-Yassin clarified Kuwait’s firm stance, asserting that his nation is not a party to the ongoing conflict and unequivocally rejects the use of its territory or airspace as a launching point for attacks on neighboring countries. He conveyed Kuwait’s serious concerns regarding recent regional destabilization, which has seen civilian infrastructure, including airports, oil facilities, and water treatment plants, come under attack. While expressing these concerns, the Ambassador emphasized Kuwait’s commitment to international law and sought collective efforts to de-escalate tensions.
“We hope Indonesia, with its respected international position and principled foreign policy, can help support efforts to realize a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, particularly for the oppressed people of Palestine,” Al-Yassin appealed, recognizing Indonesia’s moral authority.
The meeting further explored potential solutions to the complex Middle East conflict, including the critical importance of ensuring the free flow of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, which the Ambassador described as vital to global energy market stability and a pathway to regional economic prosperity.
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