TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Foreign Minister Sugiono explained the reason why the Indonesian government chose Galang Island, Riau Islands, as the location to provide medical treatment for Gaza residents who have become victims of the war.
Sugiono stated that Galang Island was chosen because the infrastructure in the former Vietnamese refugee camp is quite adequate.
"That location was also used for Covid-19 treatment," said Sugiono at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office on Thursday, August 7, 2025.
The plan to evacuate thousands of Gaza residents who are victims of the war to Galang Island was instructed by President Prabowo Subianto. Prabowo conveyed this during a cabinet meeting at the State Palace on Wednesday, August 6.
According to Sugiono, the evacuation plan and the provision of medical services for Gaza residents have been communicated by the Head of State to neighboring countries of Palestine. However, Sugiono mentioned that there is no agreement or approval yet as it is still in the discussion stage.
The Israeli military has repeatedly attacked Gaza residents since 2023. The latest report on Sunday, August 10, 2025 mentioned that Israeli attacks in Gaza killed about 39 Palestinian civilians. As reported by Al Jazeera, Gaza's Ministry of Health recorded a total of 61,430 fatalities and 153,213 injured individuals since the war began in October 2023.
Currently, Israel plans to occupy Gaza completely and force Palestinian residents to relocate from north to south. As reported by Amadolu, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and France strongly oppose this plan.
Galang Island is approximately 33 kilometers southwest of the Riau Islands Provincial Capital.In 1979, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) established an administrative office on Galang Island to manage the refugee camp during the period of 1979-1966. At that time, tens of thousands of Vietnamese refugees were resettled on Galang Island.
Vietnamese citizens fled to Galang Island due to the war in their country. Communist guerrillas took over Saigon in 1975, which was previously controlled by Ngo Dinh Diem, a proponent of Vietnamese liberalism.
After the end of the Vietnam War, the former camp became a tourist and historical site. Many Vietnamese citizens visit the location.
In April 2020, the government built the Special Infection Hospital on Galang Island to serve Covid-19 patients. The Special Infection Hospital was established to accommodate the overwhelming number of Covid-19 patients during the peak of the pandemic.
Within approximately one year of operation, or until February 14, 2021, the Special Infection Hospital recorded serving 7,223 Covid-19 patients. After the pandemic, the Special Infection Hospital is planned to be repurposed as an infectious disease hospital and a health research facility.
Deputy Chairperson of Indonesia's Ulama Council (MUI) Anwar Abbas criticized the government's plan. He stated that the plan to relocate Gaza residents is the desire of the United States and Israel since a long time ago.
He continued, although the Indonesian government mentioned that Gaza residents who have been treated on Galang Island will be returned to Palestine, the issue is not as simple as that.
"The question is, will Israel and the United States be willing to accept the return of Gaza residents?" said Anwar in a written statement received by Tempo on Monday, August 11, 2025.
He argued that the Indonesian evacuation of Gaza residents has the potential to create further issues in the future. For example, there is no guarantee that Gaza residents who have been treated will be willing to return to Palestine due to the ongoing conflict there.
According to him, the Indonesian government will be better off providing treatment directly in Gaza or in border areas near Palestine.
"I believe they will also agree because they are still being treated alongside their relatives, families, and homeland," said the Chairman of the Central Board of Muhammadiyah.
Member of the House of Representatives Commission I from the National Awakening Party, Oleh Soleh, stated that in principle, his faction supports Indonesia's humanitarian mission for Palestinian residents.
However, he said that the plan to evacuate Gaza residents to Galang Island will create a different impression. This is because Israel has long desired for Palestinian residents to leave the Gaza Strip.
"If the context is Indonesia evacuating Gaza residents from their country, it is the same as Indonesia approving Israel's desire to acquire the entire Palestinian territory," said Oleh on Monday, August 11, 2025.
Member of the House of Representatives Commission I from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, Tubagus Hasanuddin, reminded the government. He stated that the objective of the humanitarian mission should not be entangled with the desires of Israel and the United States.
"It would be better to provide treatment directly in Gaza or request assistance to provide facilities in the neighboring Palestinian state's territory. It would be more relevant and not require Gaza residents to leave their homeland," he said.
Eka Yudha Saputra contributed to the writing of this article.
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