Commission X DPR criticizes IOC: RI rejects colonization, not discrimination of athletes

Jakarta – Chairman of Commission Hetifah said Indonesia will remain consistent in supporting Palestinian independence. “We regret the IOC’s decision to impose sanctions on Indonesia for denying visas to Israeli athletes,” Hetifah told reporters on Saturday (25/10/2025). “Indonesia’s position is based on national sovereignty and the principle of free and active foreign policy, consistently supporting the struggle for Palestinian independence and rejecting all forms of colonialism,” he continued. SCROLL TO CONTINUE CONTENT Hetifah also urged the government to follow the diplomatic route. He called for this controversy to be resolved immediately and it was detrimental to world athletes. “We encourage the government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Indonesian Olympic Committee (IOC) to immediately pursue an open and constructive diplomatic path with the IOC, so that this issue can be resolved fairly without harming athletes and the world of national sports,” he explained. He said Indonesia remains committed to maintaining sportsmanship and world peace. Apart from that, he said, Indonesia also rejects double standards in implementing the IOC’s humanitarian values. “Rejection of Israel is not a form of discrimination against athletes, but rather an expression of the nation’s moral consistency in the fight for humanitarian values ​​and justice,” he said. Hetifah urged the government to formulate integrated policies. Especially between the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and KOI, so that something similar does not happen again. “Indonesia must be able to maintain national honor, position in the world of international sports, as well as the constitutional mandate to maintain independence and humanity,” he said. Previously, it was stated that athletes from Israel will still not be able to participate in the World Championships for artistic gymnastics taking place in Jakarta. This decision was taken by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), on Tuesday (14/10), in response to the Israeli delegation’s appeal regarding Indonesia’s position in refusing to issue visas for Israeli gymnasts. “Requests to take urgent interim measures were considered by the Vice President of the CAS Arbitration Appeals Division. Both requests were rejected,” CAS said in a written statement. The IOC also accused Indonesia of violating its basic principles. In a statement they published on Wednesday (22/10), the IOC decided to “cease all forms of dialogue with the Indonesian Olympic Committee regarding applications to host the Olympic Games, Youth Olympic Games and other Olympic events”. The IOC said it would reverse this decision if the Indonesian government gave a guarantee that it would provide entry visas for every Olympic participant. (amw/yangs)