Indonesian Finance Minister: No Plan to Impose Tolls on Ships Passing Through the Strait of Malacca
Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said on Friday that Indonesia has no plans to impose tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Malacca. This follows earlier remarks by him suggesting the strategic waterway could be turned into a revenue source, sparking controversy earlier this week.
Purbaya reiterated the statement made by Foreign Minister Sugiono on Thursday, emphasizing that as Southeast Asia's largest economy, Indonesia will not impose tariffs on the Strait of Malacca.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Purbaya stated that Indonesia would abide by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which outlines the rules governing international shipping routes.
On Wednesday, Purbaya publicly discussed how countries might charge fees for vessel passage to transform the Strait of Malacca into a revenue generator—prompting widespread debate. However, he later clarified that such an arrangement is not feasible.
The actual closure of the Hormuz Strait in the Middle East has forced Asian policymakers to reconsider the security of other critical maritime chokepoints.
Stretching 900 kilometers, the Strait of Malacca is described by the U.S. Department of Energy as the world’s largest "oil transport chokepoint." Located between Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, it offers the shortest sea route from East Asia to the Middle East and Europe.
Data from Malaysia’s Maritime Authority shows that over 102,500 vessels passed through the Strait of Malacca in 2025—mostly commercial ships—up from approximately 94,300 in 2024.
Source: rfi
Original: toutiao.com/article/1863371115698180/
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