Foreign Minister: Indonesia Will Not Impose Tariffs in the Malacca Strait

Foreign Minister of the Republic of Indonesia, Sugiono, stated that Indonesia will not impose tariffs in the Malacca Strait as it would contravene the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

This was conveyed by Sugiono in a brief interview in Jakarta on Thursday, in response to a journalist’s question regarding whether Indonesia would impose tariffs in the Malacca Strait.

Sugiono further emphasised that Indonesia respects international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Sugiono also reaffirmed that Indonesia supports freedom of navigation and expects smooth, free, and mutually beneficial maritime traffic.

“We also hope for free passage, and I believe this is a commitment of many countries to create a free, neutral shipping route that supports each other,” said Sugiono on Thursday (23/4/2026).

“So, no. Indonesia is not in a position to do that (impose tariffs in the Malacca Strait),” Sugiono stressed.

Then, on Wednesday (22/4/2026), Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan stated that Asian countries located along the Malacca Strait have a strategic interest in keeping the waterway open.

“The right to transit is guaranteed for all countries. We will not participate in any efforts to close, intercept, or impose duties in our surrounding areas,” said Balakrishnan.

The Malacca Strait is one of the international shipping lanes and is legally passable according to Articles 37, 38, and 39 of UNCLOS, which has been ratified by Indonesia.