Head of Bakamla Speaks Out on Proposal for Fees in the Malacca Strait

The Head of the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), Rear Admiral Irvansyah, has spoken out regarding Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa’s proposal to impose tariffs or fees on ships transiting the Malacca Strait.

Irvan stated that the government urgently needs state revenue from various sectors, including maritime areas. He cited examples such as the Suez Canal and the Panama Canal.

“That is a good issue, like the Suez Canal, like the Panama Canal, they all charge fees. I myself already have a concept to support the Finance Minister’s idea like that. At this time, we all probably need state revenue from all sectors, including maritime areas,” said Irvan to reporters in Batam on Thursday (23/4).

Irvan likened the Malacca Strait to a toll road or major highway frequented by vehicles. In his view, the government could utilise the available spaces along the Malacca Strait.

He claimed to have submitted several strategic recommendations on managing the Malacca Strait and the North Natuna Sea to increase state revenue to President Prabowo Subianto.

“If we imagine the Malacca Strait as a big toll road or highway, while we are on the sides, why not set up stalls or something, build petrol stations for stops, and honestly I can’t elaborate,” he said.

Irvan believes Indonesia’s future lies in the sea due to its abundant natural resources. According to him, managing marine resources is not difficult because they can grow and sustain themselves.

“Because renewable natural resources are in the sea, perhaps on land they are depleted, but in the sea they still exist, and managing them is not difficult because these resources grow on their own, live on their own, we don’t need to feed them, we don’t need to give them vitamins, just catch and take, and they are renewable,” he said.

Inauguration of Bakamla Headquarters

Irvan also inaugurated three Command Headquarters (Mako) in three regions of Indonesia, namely the Western Zone in Batam, the Central Zone in Manado, and the Eastern Zone in Ambon.

Irvan said that the construction and inauguration of the Mako in these three zones represent a strategic step by the state in strengthening surveillance and law enforcement in Indonesian waters.

“This inauguration is not merely infrastructure development, but a tangible manifestation of the state’s presence in safeguarding the security and safety of Indonesian seas from west to east,” he said.

Irvan hopes that the presence of these Bakamla Mako will serve as centres for maritime security services accessible to the public, especially for fishermen, shipping business operators, and maritime service users.

“Bakamla RI is committed to delivering optimal, professional, and responsive public services to meet community needs, as part of efforts to improve the quality of national maritime security,” he said.

Previously, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa mused about imposing fees on ships crossing the Malacca Strait, similar to those in the Strait of Hormuz. He highlighted Indonesia’s position on a strategic global trade and energy route.

Quoting instructions from President Prabowo Subianto, Purbaya said Indonesia is not a peripheral nation because it lies on a strategic global shipping route, namely the Malacca Strait.

“The President’s directive: Indonesia is not a peripheral country. We are on a strategic global trade and energy route,” said Purbaya during a speech at the PT SMI Symposium at the AYANA Midplaza Hotel, Jakarta, on Wednesday (22/4).