Ministry of Defence affirms Indonesia's airspace authority remains under government control
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Head of the Defence Information Bureau of the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Defence, Brigadier General TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait, emphasised that Indonesia’s airspace authority remains under the government’s control.
“The Republic of Indonesia Ministry of Defence affirms that the authority, control, and supervision over Indonesia’s airspace lie entirely with the Indonesian state,” Rico stated in an official press release received in Jakarta on Monday.
Rico made this remark in response to circulating information regarding an agreement letter between Indonesia and the United States, which allegedly grants the US full freedom to traverse Indonesian airspace.
According to Rico, every scheme for defence cooperation plans to be established with other countries is meticulously considered and must benefit Indonesia.
Such cooperation schemes must prioritise national interests and align with applicable national and international law.
If a cooperation scheme is deemed not beneficial to Indonesia, the government reserves the right to reject it and maintain full control over the state’s sovereign territory.
“Every possible arrangement still guarantees Indonesia’s full authority to approve or reject any activities in national airspace,” Rico said.
Regarding the circulating agreement letter, Rico clarified that it is not yet final as it remains under discussion.
“The Republic of Indonesia Ministry of Defence affirms that the currently circulating document is an initial draft still in the internal and inter-agency discussion stage,” he said.
“That document is not a final agreement, does not have binding legal force, and cannot serve as the basis for official Government of the Republic of Indonesia policy,” Rico explained.
Therefore, Rico urged the public not to be easily provoked by circulating information.
He assured that every cooperation built by the government aims to serve the people’s interests and respects other countries’ sovereignty.
“Indonesia continues to uphold defence cooperation with all countries based on principles of mutual respect, mutual trust, and mutual benefit, without sidelining national interests and state sovereignty,” Rico explained.
The agreement letter outlines several points of agreement between Indonesia and the United States.
One of the points states that the Indonesian Government grants permission for comprehensive overflight of airspace for US aircraft for emergency operations, crisis response, and agreed joint training activities.