Dudung Responds to US Overflight Issue: No Transit Without Permission

Presidential Special Advisor on National Defence, General TNI (Ret.) Dudung Abdurachman, has emphasised that foreign military aircraft are not allowed to cross Indonesian airspace without permission. This statement was made in response to the emerging issue regarding the concept of blanket overflight or airspace transit access for the United States (US) military. “Oh yes, that [foreign military aircraft crossing RI territory] is already international law, isn’t it allowed,” said Dudung at the Presidential Palace Complex, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday (21/4). Dudung stressed that this principle is in line with international regulations governing the sovereignty of a country’s airspace. Therefore, all foreign military activities must still follow the applicable procedures and permissions in Indonesia. Dudung previously mentioned that he would discuss the issue directly with President Prabowo Subianto in a meeting at the Palace. He said he was called to provide input on various strategic issues, including those related to defence and geopolitics. “As the president’s advisor, of course there might be things that he asks for advice and input on. He usually likes to ask for advice and input from us as advisors,” he said. He also indicated that the discussion covers national and international issues, including developing global geopolitical dynamics. Regarding defence cooperation with the US, Dudung said the relationship has been longstanding and is likely to continue. However, he emphasised that decisions on strategic matters remain in the hands of the president. “That’s been going on for a long time and it looks like our cooperation with America will continue. But on principled matters, I think he [Prabowo] will know better. I will also ask him later,” he said. Meanwhile, the blanket overflight issue has previously been denied by several parties. Chairman of Commission I of the DPR, Utut Adianto, assured that there is no agreement granting full access to Indonesian airspace to the US military. “We have to check what was signed by Mr. Defence Minister, Mr. Sjafrie. I tried to WhatsApp (WA) him, maybe he’s on a plane, but once he lands, he will explain that there is no such thing,” said Utut. The same was affirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which stated that there is no policy granting free access to foreign military aircraft in Indonesian airspace. “The government emphasises that there is no policy granting free access to foreign parties to use Indonesian airspace,” said spokesperson for the Indonesian Foreign Ministry, Yvonne Mewengkang. Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya conveyed that President Prabowo received a report on the current situation in the defence and security sector, including continuously developing geopolitical dynamics, when receiving Dudung at the Palace. “In that meeting, President Prabowo received a report on geopolitical dynamics as well as developments in the defence and security sector,” said Cabinet Secretary Teddy in an official statement. In addition to receiving the report, in that meeting, President Prabowo also provided strategic directions regarding several forward steps in maintaining, strengthening, and enhancing the national defence system for the security of the nation. “As well as providing strategic directions for forward geostrategic steps,” he said.