Foreign Minister Sugiono Responds to Purbaya's Proposal: Indonesia Will Not Impose Tariffs in the Malacca Strait

Indonesia’s Foreign Minister 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). He made this remark while responding to journalists’ questions on Thursday (23 April 2026) regarding whether Indonesia would apply tariffs in the Malacca Strait.

Sugiono reaffirmed Indonesia’s respect for international law, particularly UNCLOS. According to Sugiono, UNCLOS is an agreement that recognises Indonesia as an archipelagic state, provided that such a state does not impose tariffs on the straits within its territory.

Sugiono also emphasised that Indonesia supports freedom of navigation and hopes for smooth, free, and mutually beneficial maritime traffic.

“We also hope for free passage, and I think that is a commitment of many countries to create a free, neutral shipping route that supports each other,” said Sugiono.

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

Previously, Indonesia’s Finance Minister Purbaya Sadewa had floated the possibility of imposing tariffs on ships passing through the strait. Then, on Wednesday (22 April 2026), Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan stated that Asian countries 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 under Articles 37, 38, and 39 of UNCLOS, which has been ratified by Indonesia.