Indonesian Minister Retracts "Malacca Strait Toll" Remark Amid Controversy

Recently, an Indonesian minister sparked controversy by suggesting that, similar to the Strait of Hormuz, tolls should be imposed on ships passing through the Malacca Strait, one of the world's most important maritime routes. The minister has now retracted his statement.

According to Bloomberg News on April 25 (local time), Purbaya Yudi Sadewa, Indonesia’s Minister of Finance, told reporters the previous day, “I did not make that (controversial) statement seriously,” adding, “Indonesia has no plans whatsoever to impose tolls.”

Malacca Strait. Google Maps Capture

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Earlier, on April 22, Minister Purbaya caused a stir at an event in Jakarta by saying, “We are on a strategically important global energy trade route, but we do not impose tolls on vessels passing through the Malacca Strait. I am not sure if this is right or wrong.” In response, neighboring countries that share the Malacca Strait, Singapore and Malaysia, immediately protested.

Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, asserted, “The right of passage is guaranteed to all,” and emphasized, “We will not participate in any attempt to close the nearby strait, block passage, or impose tolls.” Mohamad Hasan, Malaysia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, also pointed out, “No single country can unilaterally decide on the right of passage through the strait.”

The Malacca Strait is a maritime transport route approximately 900 kilometers long that runs between the Malay Peninsula-which includes Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand-and Indonesia’s Sumatra Island.

This strait serves as the shortest shipping route connecting East Asia-including South Korea, China, and Japan-to India, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. Every day, more than 200 ships-roughly twice the number passing through the Strait of Hormuz-travel through the Malacca Strait, accounting for one quarter of the world’s maritime trade volume.

Minister Purbaya emphasized that Indonesia will comply with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which sets out rules for international shipping lanes. Sugiono, Indonesia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, also reiterated that there are no plans to impose tolls. He said, “As a trading nation, Indonesia supports freedom of navigation and the openness of sea lanes. We are neither in a position to impose such tolls nor would it be appropriate.” He added, “As an archipelagic state, Indonesia must naturally respect UNCLOS. We understand our obligations and will abide by them.”

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