TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - House of Representatives (DPR) member Meutya Hafid criticized Prabowo Subianto`s statement that seemingly suggests Indonesia would not mind Australia`s decision to move their embassy to Jerusalem.

“Pak Prabowo’s statement highly contradicts the spirit of our constitution,” said Meutya Hafid in a written statement today, Nov. 23.

Prabowo Subianto’s arguably controversial statement was an answer to a foreign journalist’s question related to Australia’s move to transfer its embassy from Israel’s Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This encounter happened after Prabowo spoke at the Indonesia Economic Forum 2018 in Jakarta on Wednesday.

“In terms of moving their embassy, I have not read Australia’s decision to move their embassy to Jerusalem. As Palestine’s supporter, we surely have our own opinion. But Australia is an independent and sovereign state, and we must respect their sovereignty,” Prabowo answered the foreign journalist.

Meutya Hafid said that the Australian Embassy's relocation to Jerusalem is the same as acknowledging Jerusalem as Israel’s capital city, which she argues is a form of modern colonialism exhibited by Israel.

“Indonesia should strongly protest any country’s plan to move their embassy to Palestine, which includes Australia,” said the legislative member from the Golkar Party faction.

DEWI NURITA