LAOS, RAKYAT NEWS – At the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), held in Vientiane, Laos, Indonesia called on ASEAN defense ministers and partner nations to urge Israel’s military to cease its attacks on Gaza.

The Indonesian delegation also appealed for an immediate ceasefire among conflicting parties to halt the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Leading the Indonesian delegation was Deputy Minister of Defense, Air Marshal (Ret.) Donny Ermawan Taufanto, representing Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin. Colonel Frega F Wenas Inkiriwang, Head of the Defense Information Bureau at the Ministry of Defense, highlighted this appeal in a statement issued from Jakarta on Friday.

In his address at the meeting, Donny expressed Indonesia’s grave concern over Israel’s ongoing indiscriminate attacks on Gaza, which have persisted for over a year. “Indonesia is deeply concerned by Israel’s relentless and indiscriminate assaults in Gaza. We urge all parties to swiftly reach an agreement to ensure a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon,” he stated, as per the Ministry of Defense’s official release.

The meeting also addressed other pressing regional issues, including tensions in the South China Sea. Donny reiterated Indonesia’s commitment to its independent and active foreign policy, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace, stability, and cooperation in the disputed waters.

Donny extended an invitation to ASEAN defense ministers and partner nations to participate in the Maritime Cooperation and Connectivity Conference. Co-hosted by Indonesia and Japan, the conference is scheduled to take place in Jakarta from December 2–5, 2024.

The ADMM-Plus adopted a joint statement affirming shared commitments to strengthening disaster resilience and combating climate change. The statement underscored collaboration through knowledge sharing, best practices, and capacity building among ASEAN member states.