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Why Asean cooperation remains primary shield against Malacca Strait tolls
Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore are united in upholding the principle of free passage but this must be ‘actively maintained’, analysts say
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Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East has turned the spotlight on a strategic waterway thousands of miles away in Southeast Asia, with littoral states having different ideas on how to control their stake.
Indonesian officials last week flirted with the idea of imposing tolls for passing vessels in the Strait of Malacca. Malaysia and Singapore, however, have insisted that navigation in the vital corridor remains free.
The likelihood of tolls in the strait is low thanks to strong Asean cooperation, analysts say, but more can be done by member countries and even external powers to ensure the waterway stays free to all traffic.
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Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa floated the idea of imposing a levy on ships passing through the Malacca Strait on Wednesday. Purbaya said this would align with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive that Indonesia should no longer be seen as a “peripheral nation” but a “key player” on the global economic stage, according to local media reports.
A day later, Foreign Minister Sugiono said Jakarta would not impose tariffs on vessels passing through the strait as doing so would not be consistent with international law.
Then, over the weekend, Maritime Security Agency chief Irvansyah called the strait a “giant sea toll road” that Indonesia had not fully utilised.
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