{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1699312,
        "msgid": "indonesia-rules-out-tax-on-ships-passing-malacca-strait-1777045988",
        "date": "2026-04-24 20:48:23",
        "title": "Indonesia rules out tax on ships passing Malacca Strait",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_EN",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Regulation",
        "summary": "Indonesia has firmly ruled out any plans to impose a tax on ships transiting the strategic Malacca Strait, dismissing earlier speculation as non-serious. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudha and Foreign Minister Sugiono emphasised the country's commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which guarantees freedom of navigation through international waters and Indonesia's exclusive economic zone. This stance underscores Indonesia's adherence to international maritime law as an archipelagic state, ensuring secure and unimpeded global trade routes linking the Indian Ocean and South China Sea.",
        "content": "<p>The clarification follows speculation that Jakarta was considering\ncharging ships passing through the strategic waterway, a key route for\nglobal trade linking the Indian Ocean and South China Sea.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat was not in a serious context. We have never planned to collect\nsuch a tax,\u201d Purbaya told reporters in Jakarta on Friday.<\/p>\n<p>He said Indonesia remains committed to the United Nations Convention\non the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which guarantees freedom of navigation\nin international waters, including exclusive economic zones.<\/p>\n<p>Purbaya said he was familiar with the convention from his previous\nrole overseeing maritime sovereignty and energy coordination between May\n2018 and September 2020.<\/p>\n<p>Under UNCLOS, countries must allow vessels to pass through designated\nmaritime zones and ensure safe navigation, he said, referring to\nobligations tied to Indonesia\u2019s exclusive economic zone.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn terms of freedom of navigation, we are required to allow ships to\npass through our EEZ and ensure security in those waters,\u201d Purbaya\nsaid.<\/p>\n<p>The finance minister stressed that Indonesia would not violate\ninternational law, noting the country has ratified UNCLOS and remains\nbound by its provisions.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have ratified UNCLOS and will uphold the law we have signed,\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier, Foreign Minister Sugiono also said Indonesia would not\nimpose tariffs in the Malacca Strait, reinforcing the government\u2019s\nstance on maritime governance.<\/p>\n<p>He reiterated that Indonesia respects international law, particularly\nUNCLOS, which governs navigation rights and obligations in global\nwaters.<\/p>\n<p>The Malacca Strait is recognized as an international shipping lane\nunder Articles 37, 38, and 39 of UNCLOS, allowing lawful transit passage\nfor vessels.<\/p>\n<p>Sugiono said the convention affirms Indonesia\u2019s status as an\narchipelagic state, provided it does not impose charges on transit\nthrough its straits.<\/p>\n<p>He added that Indonesia supports freedom of navigation and aims to\nensure smooth, secure, and mutually beneficial maritime traffic through\nits waters.<\/p>\n<p>Related news: US warship passing Malacca Strait \u2018part of freedom of\nnavigation\u2019: FM<\/p>\n<p>Related news: Indonesia seizes three vessels over illegal fishing<\/p>\n<p>Related news: Indonesia, Malaysia wrap up coordinated Malacca Strait\npatrols<\/p>\n<p>Translator: Imamatul S, Rahmad Nasution<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-rules-out-tax-on-ships-passing-malacca-strait-1777045988",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}