REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA \u2014 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu)\nhas acknowledged reminding the Ministry of Defence (Kemenhan) to be\ncautious with a defence cooperation proposal concerning the use of\nIndonesian airspace for US military purposes. Spokesperson Yvonne\nMawengkang emphasised that every cooperation arrangement between\nIndonesia and other countries, including the US, must prioritise full\nnational sovereignty as the primary basis for agreements.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government asserts that there is no policy granting unrestricted\naccess to foreign parties for using Indonesian airspace,\u201d Yvonne told\nRepublika on Tuesday (15\/4\/2026).<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery form of cooperation arrangement, including with the United\nStates, remains within the framework of Indonesia\u2019s full sovereignty and\nstill requires applicable national mechanisms and procedures,\u201d she\nadded.<\/p>\n
Kemenlu issued this reminder in a closed communication to Kemenhan\nsome time ago. According to Yvonne, such inter-ministerial communication\nis routine and necessary as input and perspective to ensure the\nintegrity of national interests.<\/p>\n
\u201cCommunication between ministries is commonplace in the policy\nformulation process,\u201d she said. Yvonne explained that the specific\nmilitary-defence cooperation regarding the use of Indonesian airspace by\nthe US military without permission or overflight was actually a proposal\nfrom Uncle Sam to Kemenhan.<\/p>\n
However, the overflight proposal is still under serious internal\ngovernment discussion. \u201cRegarding overflight, this is a proposal from\nthe United States that remains part of the Indonesian government\u2019s\ninternal considerations. The regulatory mechanism is still being\ncarefully reviewed, ensuring the prioritisation of national interests,\nIndonesian airspace sovereignty, and the principle of an active and\nindependent foreign policy as the primary foundation,\u201d Yvonne\nstated.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Yvonne noted that the Indonesia-US defence cooperation\nsigned at the Pentagon on Monday (13\/4\/2026) does not address the\noverflight proposal. \u201cThe Indonesia-US defence cooperation itself\nfocuses on strengthening a broader cooperation framework, while\noverflight arrangements are not a main pillar of that cooperation,\u201d\nYvonne said.<\/p>\n
She assured that Kemenlu will continue to monitor and provide input\nto ensure that the military-defence cooperation pushed by the US does\nnot undermine Indonesia\u2019s sovereignty and national interests.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government asserts that every input and perspective between\nministries and institutions is part of a normal national process. Any\nproposals still under discussion will be processed meticulously,\nmeasurably, and in accordance with official government mechanisms, so\nthey cannot be interpreted as final decisions or applicable policies,\u201d\nsaid Yvonne.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, Yvonne stated that the US-Indonesia military-defence\ncooperation should not bring negative perspectives or geopolitical\nanxieties in Southeast Asia or the Asia-Pacific.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government is also seriously observing the current evolving\nglobal geopolitical dynamics, so that every step taken does not create\nimplications for regional stability. All forms of cooperation must\nprovide real benefits for Indonesia and must not disregard or diminish\nthe fundamental principle of state sovereignty,\u201d Yvonne added.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/foreign-ministry-acknowledges-reminding-defence-ministry-on-us-overflight-clearance-request-1776246663", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }