In front of the Singaporean PM, Prabowo emphasized that the Malacca Strait must be free and safe.

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that Indonesia and Singapore have a vital interest in keeping the Malacca Strait open, safe, and freely accessible to all parties. The waterway must not be a vulnerable point for the region.

The statement was made by Prabowo during a joint statement with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at Istana Merdeka, Jakarta, Monday, July 6.

Prabowo said Indonesia and Singapore are two countries that border the Malacca Strait. Therefore, the security of the route is a common interest.

"We have an interest in maintaining the Malacca Strait as a free passage for all parties," said Prabowo.

The Malacca Strait is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. For Indonesia, the security of this route is not only about ship traffic, but also concerns trade, energy, logistics, and regional stability.

Prabowo said Indonesia and Singapore must maintain security and peace in the strait. He also highlighted the risks of pollution, accidents, and piracy.

"We must maintain security, peace in the strait, and also security from pollution, from accidents, and from piracy," said Prabowo.

According to Prabowo, security in the Malacca Strait cannot be done by only two countries. Indonesia and Singapore will continue to coordinate with Malaysia and Thailand.

He said coordination was important so that the Malacca Strait remained open, safe, and accessible in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS 1982.

"We will continue to coordinate with Malaysia and Thailand to ensure that it is in accordance with UNCLOS 1982, so that the Malacca Strait is open to all, safe, and accessible to anyone," said Prabowo.

This statement is one of the most assertive parts of the meeting between Prabowo and Lawrence Wong. Amid global tensions and maritime disputes in a number of regions, Jakarta and Singapore chose to emphasize open and safe shipping lanes.

Prabowo also said that regional stability does not come by itself. According to the President, peace must continue to be maintained through cooperation.

"Prosperity will never come without peace and stability," said Prabowo.

He said the relationship between Indonesia and Singapore should benefit not only the two countries, but also Southeast Asia.

"With this good cooperation, it will benefit not only the people of Indonesia and Singapore, but will contribute to stability, growth, and prosperity throughout Southeast Asia," said Prabowo.