JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Sugiono stated that Indonesia would not impose tariffs in the Malacca Strait because it was not in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
This was conveyed by Sugiono in response to a journalist's question regarding whether Indonesia would impose tariffs in the Malacca Strait.
Sugiono also emphasized that Indonesia respects international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
According to Sugiono, UNCLOS is an agreement that Indonesia is recognized as an archipelago country as long as the archipelago country does not impose tariffs on the straits in its territory.
Sugiono also emphasized that Indonesia supports freedom of navigation and expects smooth, free and mutually beneficial maritime traffic.
"We also hope that there will be a free track and I think that all of these are the commitments of many countries to be able to create a free, neutral, (and) mutually supportive shipping lane," said Sugiono.
"So, no. Indonesia is not in a position to do that (impose tariffs in the Malacca Strait)," said Sugiono.
Previously, Finance Minister Purbaya Sadewa joked about the possibility of imposing tariffs on ships that pass through the strait.
Then on Wednesday (22/4), Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakhrisnan said Asian countries located along the Malacca Strait, have a strategic interest to keep the Malacca Strait waterway open.
"The right to transit is guaranteed for all countries. We will not participate in any effort to close, intercept, or impose tariffs in our vicinity," said Balakrishnan.
The Strait of Malacca is one of the international shipping routes and is legal to pass according to Articles 37, 38, and 39 of UNCLOS which have been ratified by Indonesia.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
