Meeting 4 Middle Power Leaders, Puan Calls For Peace In Palestine

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani (Dok DPR Photo)

JAKARTA - The Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, held a bilateral meeting with the parliaments of the countries of Mexico, South Korea, Turkey, and Australia on the sidelines of the 9th Mikta Speakers' Consultation. During the meeting, she called for the importance of MIKTA as a middle power (middle power) country to support peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The bilateral meeting was held before the opening of the 9th Mikta Speaker's Consultation which was held at the Kempinski Hotel, Central Jakarta, Monday (11/11/2023). This event is a consolidation meeting forum between the Speakers of the Parliament of the countries of Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Turkey and Australia (MIKTA).

In a bilateral meeting with each MIKTA state parliamentary leader, Puan was accompanied by members of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency (BKSAP) Irine Yusiana Roba Putri and Vanda Sarundajang. A meeting with the leadership of the MIKTA parliament was held separately.

First, Puan met with the Chairman of the South Korean National Assembly, Kim-Jin Pyo. Then followed by the Chairman of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Numan Kurtulmugantung. Then the third meeting session was with the Deputy Speaker of the Australian Senate, Andrew McLachlan, and finally the leader of the Mexican parliament represented by the Parliamentary Secretary, Fuesanta Gugantung Esquivel.

"In particular, I say that the Israeli attack on Gaza can be stopped immediately, and a ceasefire will be carried out immediately. We need to immediately resolve the root of the problem, namely the occupation of Israel in Palestine," said Puan.

In a number of bilateral meetings, Puan encouraged the MIKTA state to participate in voicing the agreement on a two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In addition, she also invited the MIKTA state to provide humanitarian assistance to the people who were victims of war.

"We are seeing a war in Gaza that has caused a humanitarian crisis that has caused many victims of children and women. Including the latest is Israel's attack on Al-Shifa hospitals," he said.

Puan invites MIKTA to unite in avoiding polarization and upholding collective responsibility to overcome the humanitarian crisis. Both in Gaza, Ukraine, which is still in conflict with Russia, and other regions.

"MIKTA must be a positive and constructionive force in solving various global and regional problems," said Puan.

"This is a shared responsibility, and the fate of the world cannot be determined by a handful of countries," continued the first woman to serve as Chair of the DPR RI.

In addition to discussing global geopolitical tensions, Puan also invited all MIKTA state parliaments to continue to establish inter-parlement relations with various collaborations. Such as visiting each other between leaders and members of Parliament and supporting each other in international parliamentary forums.

"I believe that if cooperation between parliament continues to develop, Indonesia's bilateral relations and other MIKTA countries will also be stronger," said Puan.

The former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture also underlined the relationship between the community (people-to-people contact) which will make MIKTA's state relations even closer. Puan said that people-to-people contact can be carried out, for example through cooperation in the tourism sector.

"Tourism is one sector that can strengthen relations between communities. Not only to recognize the local community, but tourists can recognize the culture of their respective countries," he explained.

During a meeting with South Korean Parliament Speaker Kim Jin Pyo, Puan specifically hoped that Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) would be given more opportunities to work in the ginseng country.

"I also hope that more Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) can fill the labor market in Korea," said Puan.

Meanwhile, at a bilateral meeting with Senate Vice President Andrew Mclachan, Puan invited Australia to invest in the development of the National Capital (IKN) Nusantara in Kalimantan. Moreover, Australia is one of the important economic partners for Indonesia.

"I hope that in the future cooperation in the fields of trade and investment should be carried out on the basis of equality, mutual benefit," said Puan during a conversation with Andrew Mclachan.

Regarding a bilateral meeting with the MIKTA state parliament, BKSAP member Irine Yusiana Roba Putri said the Turkish parliament supports Puan's statement about the importance of concrete action in order to support peace in Palestine. According to him, the atrocities of Israeli Zionist forces in Palestine have shocked the conscience of the entire world community.

"During a meeting with the Turkish parliamentary delegation, they agreed with the importance of a middle power country voicing a ceasefire so that there are no more civilian casualties in Palestine. Turkey wants to maximize its position as the closest access to Gaza," explained Irine.

Then during Puan's bilateral meeting with Senate Vice President Andrew Mclachan, Irine said the Australian parliament welcomed Bung Karno's grandson's invitation regarding investment in IKN Nusantara.

"Australian parliament will convey Mbak Puan's message to invest in IKN. Because indeed Australia has experience building the capital," said the member of Commission V DPR RI.

It is known, the plan for the private sector of Australia to invest in the development of IKN Nusantara was revealed when One Global Capital founder and CEO Iwan Sunito admitted that he was interested in investing in IKN. The company often invests and develops real estate that focuses on creating city-building projects.

At the 9th Mikta Speaker's Consultation this year, the Indonesian House of Representatives took the theme of a discussion on Strengthening Multilateralism, Intergenerational Challenges'. The theme is in line with the three main issues that will be discussed together by the Chairperson of the MiKTA Parliament, namely strengthening multilateralism, inclusive recovery, and digital transformation.