Regarding the issue of Prabowo giving air traffic permits to the US, the Ministry of Defense: It does not enter MDCP

Illustration of the F-35 stealth fighter jet belonging to the US military. (Simon Hurry-Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The Head of the Defense Information Bureau (Karo Infohan) of the General Staff of the Ministry of Defense, Brigadier General TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait, confirmed that the strategic plan of the United States (US) to access Indonesia's comprehensive air routes or Overflight Clearance permits was not included in the Major Defense Cooperation Partnership (MDCP) agreement.

MDCP is a defense cooperation framework that was just signed by Defense Minister (Menhan) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon, Washington, USA, yesterday Monday, April 13.

"That (the agreement on the permission to fly American aircraft) is not in the MDCP," said Rico when confirmed by ANTARA, Tuesday, April 14.

According to Rico, the point of cooperation related to the US strategic plan to access Indonesia's comprehensive air routes is still being considered by the Prabowo Subianto Presidential Government.

He explained that in the process of considering the proposal, the Indonesian Ministry of Defense would continue to prioritize Indonesian sovereignty, national interests, and compliance with applicable national and international laws.

Rico also emphasized that every decision on cooperation built by the Ministry of Defense and the United States must benefit Indonesia.

He ensured that public security and state sovereignty were the government's top priority in determining international cooperation steps.

"All forms of cooperation must still provide real benefits for Indonesia and must not reduce the basic principles of state sovereignty, national policy independence, and Indonesia's position as a country that consistently carries out active free foreign policy," said Rico.

Regarding MDCP, Rico said that the contents of the military cooperation agreement had been agreed upon by Indonesia and the United States, including cooperation in developing defense technology capacity, increasing operational readiness, professional military education, and strengthening relations between the two countries' defense personnel.

"This cooperation is seen as an opportunity to strengthen national defense capacity, but it is still carried out in a free and active foreign policy corridor, national interests, and full respect for state sovereignty," he said.

It is known that information related to a letter of agreement between Indonesia and the United States has circulated which says that the US has full freedom to cross Indonesian airspace. In the letter of agreement there are several points of agreement between Indonesia and the US

One of the points, namely the Government of Indonesia opens a comprehensive airspace permit for US aircraft for emergency operations, crisis management, and related training activities agreed upon together.