Indonesia Reaffirms Commitment to UNCLOS, Rules Out Tariffs in Malacca Strait

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia has ruled out imposing tariffs on vessels passing through the Malacca Strait, with Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono stressing that such a move would contradict the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Speaking in Jakarta on Thursday, April 23, 2026, Sugiono underscored Indonesia’s respect for international law, noting that UNCLOS recognizes Indonesia as an archipelagic state on the condition that it does not impose tariffs on straits within its territory.

“We support freedom of navigation and expect smooth, mutually beneficial maritime traffic. Many countries share this commitment to maintaining neutral and open shipping lanes,” he said, as quoted by Antara.

Minister Sugiono’s remarks came in response to questions about whether Indonesia would consider charging vessels in the strait, following earlier comments by Finance Minister Purbaya Sadewa, who floated the idea.

The issue also drew attention from Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, who on Wednesday, April 22, emphasized that Asian nations along the Malacca Strait have a strategic interest in keeping the waterway open.

“The right of passage is guaranteed for all countries. We will not participate in any effort to close, intercept, or impose duties in our surrounding waters,” Balakrishnan said.

The Malacca Strait remains one of the world’s busiest international shipping routes, protected under Articles 37, 38, and 39 of UNCLOS, which Indonesia has ratified. ***