According to the Singapore-based newspaper The Straits Times, on July 6, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Indonesia's President Joko Widodo pledged to ensure that the Strait of Malacca remains open to all nations.
On that day, Huang Xuncai held an informal summit with Plabov, and when speaking to the media, he discussed his stance regarding the Strait of Malacca.
Prabowo said that Indonesia and Singapore are countries along the Strait of Malacca, and both nations are committed to ensuring the Strait remains open and free for international navigation. "We must maintain the peace and security of the Strait, while preventing pollution, accidents, and piracy. This is in the interests of the countries surrounding the Strait of Malacca."
subsequently, Huang Xuncai stated that Singapore and Indonesia, as countries along the Strait, share a common strategic vision. They have mutual interests in maintaining freedom of navigation and keeping maritime routes open.
Huang Xuncai said, 'President Prabowo and I agree that we will do our part, along with other coastal countries, to ensure that the Strait of Malacca and the Strait of Singapore remain safe and open, allowing everyone to enter and exit freely.'
Earlier this year, conflicts in Iran caused disruptions to traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, significantly increasing the strategic importance of the Strait of Malacca. Approximately 20% to 25% of global maritime trade and about 25% of maritime oil transportation pass through the Strait of Malacca.
In April, Indonesia's Finance Minister Purbaya said that Indonesia could consider adopting the model used by Iran in charging tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. This statement attracted international attention.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Sudjono said that Indonesia would not impose tolls on the Strait of Malacca, as this would not comply with the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Purbaya also clarified that the idea of charging fees for the Strait of Malacca is "not serious".
