US Ship's Passage Through Malacca Strait Deemed Not to Disrupt Indonesia's Non-Aligned Policy

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Chairman of Commission I of the House of Representatives Utut Adianto has assessed that the US military vessel passing through the Malacca Strait will not disrupt Indonesia’s independent and active policy.

According to him, all parties can transit through the Malacca Strait because Indonesia is not in a war danger zone and neighbouring countries are friendly nations.

“Will this potentially disrupt our independent and active stance? I think definitely not,” Utut said at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Tuesday.

He stated that Indonesia has maintained friendships with Western countries since the 1970s. Although Indonesia has now joined BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), he believes the countries within it are also friendly with Western nations.

Additionally, he emphasised that there is no agreement between Indonesia and the US regarding the free use of Indonesian airspace.

This, he said, has been directly confirmed to Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin following his recent visit to the US.

He also stated that there is no military alliance cooperation related to this matter.

Therefore, notifications to the Ministry of Defence or the Indonesian Air Force are still required regarding the use of Indonesian airspace by foreign militaries.

“So, there is nothing here that suggests our sovereignty has been handed over to the United States, particularly our airspace,” he said.