US Warship Passes Through Malacca Strait, Indonesian Navy's Response

The Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) has confirmed the passage of a US warship through the Malacca Strait. The TNI AL stated that the US vessel was merely transiting.

“The passage is solely for the purpose of continuous, direct, and expeditious transit between one part of the high seas or exclusive economic zone and another part of the high seas or exclusive economic zone, as per Articles 37, 38, and 39 of UNCLOS 1982,” said Navy Information Service Chief Rear Admiral Tunggul, as quoted by detikcom on Sunday (19/4).

Tunggul described the warship’s activity as lawful international navigation. He referred to the right of ships, including warships, to transit through such waters as Transit Passage in straits used for international navigation.

“As we all know, Indonesia has ratified UNCLOS 1982 through Law Number 17 of 1985 on the Ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” he stated.

“Therefore, all ships exercising the right of transit passage in the Malacca Strait, which is an international navigation route, are obliged to respect Indonesia as the coastal state,” he added.

Tunggul dismissed reports that the US plans to deploy its warship to hunt oil tankers in the Malacca Strait. He emphasised that foreign ships passing through must not violate regulations.

“In addition, while transiting, foreign ships must not violate provisions under COLREG 1972 on preventing collisions at sea and MARPOL on preventing pollution from ships,” he said.