April 17, 2025 | 01:05 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf announced that the ministry is making preparations in line with President Prabowo Subianto's plan to evacuate residents of Gaza, Palestine, who have fallen victim to Israeli attacks.
Saifullah noted that the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) has several facilities that could be used to house Gaza evacuees once they arrive in Indonesia. "One of them is in Pangkal Pinang, which we have prepared," he stated in an official release on Thursday, April 17, 2025.
He also mentioned that the implementation of the evacuation plan is still pending direct instructions from the President. However, Kemensos stands ready to assist at any moment.
"We are ready, currently awaiting the President's instructions," he said. "Of course, Kemensos supports whatever decision the President makes."
Earlier, President Prabowo had expressed Indonesia’s readiness to take in thousands of injured victims and orphaned children from Palestine, who have suffered due to the Israeli onslaught in Gaza. He has tasked Foreign Minister Sugiono with initiating dialogue with the Palestinian authorities regarding the evacuation process.
"We are ready to accommodate Gaza residents who need to be evacuated, including those who are injured, orphaned children, children who have experienced trauma, and students," Prabowo stated during his visit to Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in East Jakarta on April 9, 2025.
Foreign Minister Sugiono elaborated on the President's proposal, clarifying that Indonesia’s role is to offer temporary refuge, not permanent relocation. This measure is purely humanitarian and not intended to displace the Palestinian people from their homeland.
"In line with the president's directives, their presence in Indonesia is temporary and is by no means intended to 'relocate' the Palestinians from their homeland," Sugiono said in a written statement on Thursday, April 10, 2025.
He reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict based on the two-state solution and called for an end to all forms of violence.
Sugiono also underlined that Indonesia strongly opposes any effort to permanently relocate Palestinians from their land.
Savero Aristia Wienanto, Hendrik Yaputra, and Eka Yudha Saputra contributed to the writing of this article.
Editor’s Choice: MUI Urges Thorough Study on Prabowo's Gaza Evacuation Plan
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Indonesia Opens Opportunity to Collaborate with Russia in 5G Network Development
3 jam lalu
Indonesia received a visit from the Russian government to explore the opportunity for collaboration in the development of 5G network in the country.
Kadin Indonesia Unfazed by Trump's Tariffs on Halal Industry
3 jam lalu
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) is confident that the ASEAN market can become an opportunity for the Indonesian halal industry.
Indonesia Encourages Russia to Invest in Indonesia's 25 Special Economic Zones
4 jam lalu
Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto is encouraging the Russian government to invest in 25 Special Economic Zones
Netherlands to Assist in Preserving Cultural Heritage in Depok, Indonesia
15 jam lalu
The Dutch government wants to help develop cultural heritage in the Old Town of Depok.
Maldives Restricts Entry of Israelis in Solidarity with Palestine
15 jam lalu
The Maldives announced a ban on the entry of Israeli citizens in a move of "firm solidarity" with Palestine.
Indonesian Govt Bans Timber Extraction in Mangrove Ecosystems
16 jam lalu
The Indonesian Environment and Forestry Ministry no longer issues permits for timber extraction in mangrove ecosystems.
Indonesia Nears Final Stages of 2025 Hajj Preparations
16 jam lalu
Indonesian Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar mentions that in general, services in Saudi Arabia are ready to welcome Hajj pilgrims.
IHSG, Rupiah Close Lower in Today's Trade
16 jam lalu
The performance of today's trade, Wednesday, April 16, 2025, shows a negative record. IHSG and the exchange rate of the rupiah weakened.
Why Did Xi Jinping Skip Indonesia on His Southeast Asia Visit? CSIS Explains
17 jam lalu
The three countries visited by Xi Jinping were Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Indonesia was not included in the list.
ITB Lecturer Warns Against Rushing Policy Shift on Indonesia's Domestic Certification
20 jam lalu
An ITB lecturer stated that the Indonesian government's plan to relax the domestic certification policy needs to be carefully considered.
