Indonesian Minister on Israel Participation in U-20 World Cup: We Don't See Any Threat
Translator
Editor
5 April 2023 17:29 WIB
What is the government’s reaction to the demonstrations against Israel’s (presence)?
Normal. They got our attention but we didn’t see any threat. We had a coordination meeting. And Pak Mahfud and I went to see the president on March 21 at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport after his return from Papua and reported this development.
What about the protests against the Israeli team?
We also briefed him about Pak Wayan Koster’s letter. Then Pak Mahfud gave the update on the latest developments based on input from BIN (State Intelligence Agency) and Lemhannas (National Resilience Institute).
What did the president say?
He said, “Well, we must pay attention to everything. But the show must go on.”
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) officially rejected the Israeli team...
It was at the upper level. The bottom line is that we secure the bottom level. I as the chair of the U-20 steering committee worked to improve the fields that got negative reviews from FIFA.
Is it true that there were reports of escalating demonstrations?
Yes. That’s why I went to see the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) right after my inauguration.
Why?
Because pro-Palestine demonstrations have always been attached to Muslim organizations.
Did the MUI also object to Israel's presence?
Vehemently at first. They became a bit relaxed after I explained. We know we have to comply with the regulations. There are regulations for events that involve Israel. It’s been going well so far and it does not violate the Constitution. It means Indonesia’s foreign policy is firm, and does not change let alone leans toward violating the constitution. I as the president’s aide must protect the president and not let him carried away and violate the Constitution. He could be impeached.
Did the president order the meeting with the MUI?
It was my initiative. I knew the (protests) by the Islamic mass organizations were escalating.
Don’t mass organizations such as Nahdlatul Ulama tend to be moderate?
Muhammadiyah is also relatively moderate. I heard that Haedar Nashir, Muhammadiyah’s Chair, sent a message to Bu Retno (Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi), “Please continue to apply the rules on the Israeli (team) as the foreign ministry has always done when Israelis come to Indonesia.”
Did you really see a threat?
Personally, I don’t see any serious threat.
What was the official reason the government gave to FIFA?
The same suggestion that I gave to the president when I met him at Halim Airport. So that people won’t be led to think that we broke the law, and changed the foreign policy that supports the Palestinians’ rights. We must not allow ourselves to be seen as violating the Constitution, particularly the Preamble to the 1945 Constitution. That’s why I made that suggestion. It was not unfounded. We’ve used it all this time to negotiate with international institutions which hold events in Indonesia.
The president agreed?
He did.
Read the Full Interview in Tempo English Magazine
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