Commission I: No Legal Basis for Free Airspace Access for Foreign Parties
Deputy Chairman of Commission I of the House of Representatives, Sukamta, has highlighted several foreign media reports claiming that Indonesia has agreed to provide full airspace access to the US military.
According to Sukamta, under both national and international law, all foreign aviation activities, especially military ones, must comply with permitting mechanisms, including diplomatic clearance and security clearance.
Therefore, he stated, there is no legal basis that allows one country to have full access to another country’s airspace.
“There is no legal basis that permits the granting of unrestricted free access to national airspace to foreign parties,” Sukamta said when contacted on Monday (13/4).
The politician from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) explained that Indonesia holds a strategic position in the Indo-Pacific region and is committed to maintaining regional stability.
Therefore, Sukamta said, every policy related to foreign military access must be carefully considered, including its implications for regional geopolitical balance. He also requested that the government provide a complete explanation regarding reports of US military control over Indonesian airspace.
“The government is expected to provide a complete, proportionate, and fact-based explanation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Commission I member TB Hasanuddin stated that they have not yet received official information from the government regarding the plan.
He reminded that if the information is true, the government is obliged to consult with the House of Representatives. However, in principle, Hasan explained, the provisions regarding permission for foreign aircraft, both civilian and military, to enter Indonesian airspace are regulated in Law No. 21 of 2025 on Airspace Management, particularly Articles 40 and 41.
Those articles state that permission may be granted as long as it complies with applicable aviation provisions and international cooperation. However, if the government is indeed granting blanket clearance, there are several serious concerns.
First, Hasan said, the government must openly explain the reasons and considerations for granting clearance to the US. Because airspace is part of national sovereignty.
Second, the government must still impose limitations on the types of aircraft permitted to transit, including parameters of the airspace that can be crossed. In addition, all foreign aircraft transiting must be under the supervision of the Indonesian Air Force.
“Whether it is only logistics aircraft or also includes armed military aircraft such as fighter jets,” he said.
Third, Hasan reminded that such agreements must go through the ratification process in the House of Representatives because they concern strategic aspects of national sovereignty.
Moreover, Indonesia has consistently maintained its position as a free and active country and plays a role in maintaining stability in Southeast Asia. Therefore, he said, Indonesia must not become an arena for competition among major powers.
“The government needs to openly explain whether this policy will affect Indonesia’s foreign policy position. It should not create perceptions that Indonesia is leaning towards one power or even building certain alliances,” he said.
Defence Ministry Statement
Head of Information of the Secretariat General of the Ministry of Defence (Defence Ministry), Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait, stated that the circulating document regarding full US military access to Indonesian airspace is an initial draft. According to him, every possible arrangement still guarantees Indonesia’s full authority to approve or reject any activities in national airspace.
“In the Indonesian context, this means that all processes must follow statutory regulations, institutional mechanisms, and national political decisions. There is no room for unilateral implementation outside Indonesian law,” he said.
The Sunday Guardian previously revealed a secret US defence document to secure comprehensive airspace transit access for US military aircraft through Indonesian airspace.
The document was discussed in a meeting between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Donald Trump in Washington last February.
Prabowo is even said to have approved a proposal to allow comprehensive airspace transit for US aircraft through Indonesian airspace, starting from emergency operations, crisis response missions, and jointly agreed military exercises.