Singapore's Foreign Minister Suddenly Mentions Malacca Strait in Front of Sugiono

Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan suddenly raised the importance of the Malacca Strait and Singapore Strait during a meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono at the Pancasila Building in Central Jakarta on Tuesday (12/5/2026). This statement came amid escalating global geopolitical tensions, particularly the conflict in the Middle East, which is affecting global trade and energy routes.

In his remarks, Vivian emphasised that Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore have successfully maintained the Malacca Strait and Singapore Strait safe and open for international traffic.

“I also spoke with the Iranian Foreign Minister last night. I invited him to see how our region, amid its diversity and great development potential, continues to uphold regional peace and a rules-based world order,” he said.

He added that the success of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore in safeguarding the Malacca Strait serves as a positive example for the international community.

“Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore have managed to keep the Malacca and Singapore Straits open, safe, and as vital global routes. The cooperation mechanisms built on UNCLOS can serve as a positive model for other regions in the world,” he stated.

Vivian also highlighted the increasingly uncertain global conditions due to the Middle East conflict, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which directly impacts energy supplies to Southeast Asia.

“We are facing the consequences of the war in the Middle East, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, its impact on energy supplies to Asia including Southeast Asia, inflation due to rising energy prices, and challenges to the rules-based international system,” he said.

On that occasion, Singapore’s Foreign Minister also praised the close relations between Jakarta and Singapore, which he described as becoming increasingly intensive. He even admitted to communicating with Sugiono almost every week, either directly or via WhatsApp and telephone.

“In the current world situation, close coordination and communication between Indonesia and Singapore is becoming increasingly important,” he said.