What is the combined strategy of Indonesia and Singapore for Strait of Malacca?

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Indonesia and Singapore plan to keep the Strait of Malacca “accessible” and open for all ships, in line with UNCLOS

Indonesia and Singapore have jointly pledged that the Strait of Malacca will remain “accessible” for maritime transit even as global oil tensions rise. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said both countries intend to keep the strait as a “free passageway” by coordinating with Malaysia and Thailand so it stays open to all, safe, and accessible. Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong added that the two countries are committed to upholding freedom of navigation and rights of passage under UNCLOS, with the strait remaining safe, open, and accessible to all.
They are focusing on keeping the strait “accessible” despite wider oil disruptions
The pledge was made in Jakarta on July 6 as Southeast Asia faces the effects of high oil prices linked to the Middle East conflict. The commitment is framed around the Strait of Malacca remaining “accessible,” even while Iran imposes fees on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Malacca is described as a major oil transit chokepoint, with more than 23 million barrels crossing in the first half of the previous year.
Prabowo ties the strategy to a “free passageway” and regional coordination
Prabowo said Indonesia and Singapore have an interest in keeping the Strait of Malacca as a “free passageway.” He also said they will continue to coordinate with Malaysia and Thailand so the strait will always be open to all, safe, and accessible. Earlier in April, an idea to charge vessels to cross the strait was floated by Indonesia’s finance minister, but later withdrawn.
Wong anchors the approach in UNCLOS navigation and passage rights
Wong said Singapore and Indonesia are committed to upholding freedom of navigation and rights of passage under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He stressed that the strait must “remain safe, open, accessible to all.” This positions the shared approach as legal and operational, focused on ensuring transit conditions remain stable for all countries.
The pledge is made while other regional routes face fee and closure risks
The statements come as Iran’s ambassador to China said ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz would face fees, with “friendly” countries receiving special treatment. The Strait of Hormuz normally carries a fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas, but was largely closed by Iran during the Middle East war. Against that backdrop, Indonesia and Singapore’s message is that the Malacca route should not face similar barriers and should stay usable for all.

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What is the combined strategy of Indonesia and Singapore for Strait of Malacca?

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