Foreign Ministry Affirms Cooperation with US Still Prioritises Indonesian Sovereignty
Jakarta - The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu), Yvonne Mewengkang, has affirmed that cooperation between the Indonesian government and foreign parties continues to prioritise sovereignty and comply with applicable regulations.
This was stated by Yvonne to clarify issues regarding the granting of overflight clearance allowing US military aircraft to pass freely through Indonesia.
“Every form of cooperation arrangement, including with the United States, remains within the framework of Indonesia’s full sovereignty and requires the applicable national mechanisms and procedures,” Yvonne told Kompas.com on Wednesday (15/4/2026).
Yvonne explained that the overflight clearance is a proposal from the US side to enable their military aircraft to enter and exit Indonesia freely.
“The mechanism for its arrangement is still being carefully reviewed, placing national interests, Indonesia’s airspace sovereignty, and the principle of an independent and active foreign policy as the primary basis,” said Yvonne.
According to Yvonne, Indonesia-US defence cooperation focuses on strengthening a broader cooperation framework, and overflight clearance arrangements are not the main pillar of such cooperation.
“Every proposal still under discussion will be processed meticulously, measurably, and in accordance with official government mechanisms, so it cannot be interpreted as a final decision or an implemented policy,” said Yvonne.
She continued that the government is also seriously monitoring the current evolving global geopolitical dynamics.
“All forms of cooperation must provide tangible benefits for Indonesia and must not diminish the fundamental principles of state sovereignty, national policy independence, and Indonesia’s consistent position in implementing an independent and active foreign policy,” added Yvonne.
On Sunday (12/4/2026), the online media The Sunday Guardian also reported the existence of a secret US defence document to secure overflight access for US military aircraft through Indonesian airspace.
The document is said to follow a meeting between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and US President Donald Trump in Washington in February.
It was stated that Prabowo approved a proposal to allow comprehensive overflight clearance for US aircraft through Indonesian airspace.