Indonesia Encourages OIC Parliamentary Collaboration to Strengthen Institutions and Strategic Policy
Jakarta – The 19th Conference of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC) was officially opened at the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) Building in Senayan, Jakarta. The international event, held from May 12 to 15, 2025, marks an important moment for Indonesia in solidifying its strategic role as a facilitator of inter-parliamentary dialogue among Islamic countries.
The conference began with the 53rd Session of the PUIC Executive Committee, chaired by the Head of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency (BKSAP) of DPR RI, Mardani Ali Sera. The opening featured a spiritual atmosphere with a Qur’anic recitation by national qari Muzammil Hasballah, which further strengthened the sense of unity.
“This is both an honor and a great responsibility for Indonesia to host the 19th PUIC Conference. We aim to ensure its success, deliver substantive outcomes, and make a real impact in strengthening solidarity across the Islamic world,” said Mardani Ali Sera.
On the first day, delegates from OIC member parliaments set the agenda with the theme “Good Governance and Strong Institutions as Pillars of Resilience” during a Standing Committee meeting.
“This momentum highlights Indonesia’s strategic role as a center of parliamentary diplomacy in the Islamic world and reaffirms the DPR RI’s commitment to reinforcing good governance and strong institutions as key foundations for global resilience,” Mardani continued.
The 19th PUIC Standing Committee also discussed enhancing the role of parliaments through greater transparency and accountability. According to Mardani, the PUIC session serves as a vital platform for member states to align their views and strengthen solidarity in facing the challenges of the modern world.
As part of the bilateral agenda, DPR RI Secretary General Indra Iskandar held a meeting with the Secretary General of the Bahraini Parliament, Mohamed Ibrahim Al Sisi Al Buainain. The meeting marked the beginning of concrete inter-legislative cooperation between the two countries.
“They expressed interest in further facilitating relations between the Indonesian and Bahraini Parliaments, through both direct meetings and digital communication. This is a positive opportunity that we intend to pursue,” said Indra Iskandar.
The meeting also touched on the exchange of policy studies, particularly regarding women and children’s issues. Indra noted that Bahrain’s parliamentary research on maternal and child issues could be integrated with the research base of Indonesia’s Parliamentary Expertise Agency (Badan Keahlian DPR RI).
“They have policy studies on maternal and child issues, and we can respond with Indonesia’s own context. This is a valuable opportunity for collaborative research,” explained Indra.
Both parties also agreed to strengthen capacity-building programs for their respective parliaments. Although the Bahraini Parliament is bicameral and has fewer members, this structure allows for more efficient consolidation of ideas and decisions.
“The DPR Secretariat General will present the outcomes of this meeting to the Indonesia–Bahrain Parliamentary Friendship Group. We hope this collaboration can soon be translated into concrete programs,” Indra concluded.
Through hosting the 19th PUIC Conference, Indonesia is demonstrating not only its readiness as a host but also its role as an initiator in strengthening democratic institutions in Islamic countries through inclusive and collaborative dialogue.
