February 5, 2026 | 04:54 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono stated that there was no criticism regarding the ministry's performance during President Prabowo Subianto's discussion with former foreign ministers and deputy foreign ministers, which took place at the Jakarta Presidential Palace on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. Sugiono also attended the meeting.
According to Sugiono, the former ministers and deputy ministers did not specifically highlight the current performance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "There is no criticism of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," he said after the meeting at the Presidential Palace.
Sugiono noted that the discussion with Prabowo proceeded dynamically. The Gerindra Party politician stated that many perspectives were shared, especially regarding Indonesia's membership in the Board of Peace.
However, Sugiono was reluctant to label the discussion as a debate between pros and cons. He likened the difference of opinion to a Rubik's cube, which has many different sides but remains a unified whole.
"If you look at it from different sides, the colors are different, but after everyone looks at it from a comprehensive perspective, they all eventually agree that it is one object called a Rubik's cube," he said.
Several former foreign ministers and deputy foreign ministers received an explanation from President Prabowo regarding Indonesia's decision to join the Board of Peace initiated by the United States. These diplomatic figures met with Prabowo for approximately four hours.
Other former state officials in attendance included Foreign Minister (2009-2014) Mohammad Marty Muliana Natalegawa, Foreign Minister (2014-2024) Retno Lestari Priansari Marsudi, Foreign Minister (1999-2001) Alwi Shihab, Foreign Minister (2001-2009) Noer Hassan Wirajuda, and Dino Patti Djalal, who served as Deputy Foreign Minister during the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono era.
Following the closed-door meeting, Dino Patti Djalal mentioned that Prabowo maintains a realistic approach to the decision to join the Board of Peace. He explained that Indonesia's participation in the Board of Peace is the only option currently on the table regarding peace in Palestine. "There are no other options, and the fact is that the Board of Peace is part of the solution to ceasefires, although it is still being violated by Israel," Dino said.
Ervana Trikarinaputri contributed to the report.
Read: Indonesian Lawmaker Urges Govt to Release Board of Peace Membership Roadmap
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