Minister of Foreign Affairs Straightens the Issue of US Air Access, Emphasizing that the Sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia Remains a Fence

Minister of Foreign Affairs (Menlu) Sugiono clarified the term that is widely used in the controversy over the United States' air access in Indonesian territory. (Teddy Kurniawan VOI)

JAKARTA - Foreign Minister (Menlu) Sugiono clarified the term that was widely used in the controversy over US air access in Indonesian territory. According to Sugiono, what is being discussed is not blanket overflight access or unlimited comprehensive air access, but overflight access, namely a proposal for a crossing access that still has to be discussed through the Indonesian government mechanism. The government also emphasized that there was no policy that gave free access to Indonesian airspace to foreign parties.

This was conveyed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Wednesday (22/4). According to Sugiono, the proposal was only an intensification from the United States. Therefore, according to him, the discussion cannot be perceived as a step that automatically drags Indonesia into a global conflict.

"This government was inaugurated, chosen by the people, then sworn to implement the constitution and all laws," said Sugiono.

According to him, the government's obligation remains the same: to protect all Indonesian people, to protect all Indonesian blood, and to place sovereignty and national interests as the main priority.

Sugiono emphasized that if the proposal was discussed, the process must still go through the domestic mechanism. What is the form, how is the implementation, and where is the limit, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, all will be determined in the government's discussion process. This attitude is in line with the government's previous affirmation that any cooperation, including with the United States, must be subject to national procedures and be under Indonesian sovereignty.

He also rejected the notion that discussing overflight access automatically threatened Indonesia's free and active foreign policy. According to him, similar agreements in principle could also be discussed with other countries, as long as the mechanism is clear and national interests are still maintained.

Sugiono's statement came amid concerns from a number of observers that air access for the US military could open up space for Indonesia's involvement in regional tensions, especially around the South China Sea. But for the government, it is not on speculation, but that the proposal may come from outside, but the decision remains in the hands of Indonesia.