Prabowo and Wong Agree Malacca Strait to Remain Free Passage

President Prabowo Subianto has affirmed Indonesia’s commitment to maintaining the Malacca Strait as an international shipping lane. The statement was made during a joint press conference with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong following a bilateral meeting at the Merdeka Palace in Central Jakarta on Monday, 6 July 2026. During the meeting, Prabowo and Wong discussed their respective countries’ stances on the Malacca Strait. Prabowo stated that both countries have a vested interest as they directly border the strait. Prabowo said Indonesia and Singapore agreed to maintain the Malacca Strait as a free passage for all parties. ‘We must maintain security and peace in the strait, as well as safety from pollution, accidents, and piracy,’ he said. The Gerindra Party chairman noted that the Malacca Strait plays a vital role for surrounding countries. Therefore, Indonesia and Singapore will coordinate with Malaysia and Thailand to keep the Malacca Strait open to all in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982. Prime Minister Wong said the strategic position of the Malacca Strait has come under the spotlight following the war in the Middle East, which led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz international shipping lane. That event had a significant impact on Singapore. Wong stated that Singapore and Indonesia share a similar interest in guaranteeing freedom of navigation rights in the Malacca Strait. ‘Including the right of transit passage for vessels in accordance with UNCLOS, which is also international law,’ Wong said. He said Indonesia and Singapore, as littoral states with coastlines along the waterway, are responsible for ensuring the Malacca Strait remains safe, open, and accessible to all. The meeting between Prabowo and Wong was titled the 2026 Singapore-Indonesia Leaders’ Retreat. This event marks the second meeting, following the last Leaders’ Retreat when Prabowo met Wong in Singapore in 2025. Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said the Leaders’ Retreat is a regular agenda between the heads of state of Indonesia and Singapore. He conveyed that Indonesia and Singapore are scheduled to sign a number of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) during the bilateral meeting. However, Teddy did not detail the agreements. ‘There will be 26 agreements or MoUs signed later,’ said the Indonesian Army lieutenant colonel.