Indonesia and Singapore reaffirm that the Strait of Malacca will remain open and free for all
Singapore and Indonesia have pledged to keep the Strait of Malacca open, safe and accessible for all, elevating maritime security to the forefront of the bilateral relationship which both countries consider essential to regional stability.The commitment came after talks on July 6 between Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and President Prabowo Subianto at the annual Leaders’ Retreat in Jakarta, where they stressed the importance of protecting one of the world’s busiest shipping routes amid growing geopolitical uncertainty.The Strait of Malacca, which connects the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, carries a large share of global trade and energy shipments, making it one of the most strategically important sea lanes in the world.
In 2025, the Strait handled more than 102,500 ships, accounting for about 22 percent of global maritime trade, and carrying nearly 23.2 million barrels of oil per day.
“Strategically compatible” with regard to maritime security
President Prabowo said Indonesia and Singapore reaffirmed their common position on the waterway. “Indonesia and Singapore are two countries that directly border the Strait of Malacca. We have a common interest in preserving the Strait of Malacca as a free passage for all parties,” he said at a joint press conference.
He added that Indonesia will continue to coordinate with Malaysia and Thailand to ensure that the strait, in accordance with UNCLOS, “will always remain open to all, safe and accessible to anyone who needs access.”Prime Minister Wong made a similar observation, linking maritime security to global developments. He said that recent events in the Middle East highlighted the importance of maintaining the safety of major trade routes.
The war with Iran has choked traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, leading to disruptions in global trade and oil supplies.“As two coastal states bordering the Strait of Malacca, Singapore and Indonesia enjoy a strategic alliance,” Wong said. “We share an interest in upholding navigational rights and freedoms and keeping maritime lines of communication open to all.”The two leaders agreed to work with countries bordering the sea to ensure that the straits remain safe, open and accessible.
Global Spotlight on the Strait of Malacca
This commitment comes amid increasing global interest in the Strait of Malacca following the unrest in the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts point out that while Hormuz primarily serves as an energy export route, the Strait of Malacca serves as a broader global trade artery.The Strait operates within a radically different governance framework compared to the Strait of Hormuz. It is governed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as an international strait with guaranteed transit, ensuring that no single country can prevent, restrict or impose fees on shipping traffic.
This legal framework provides continuity and predictability to global supply chains.Concerns arose earlier this year after an Indonesian official briefly raised the possibility of imposing fees on ships to cross the strait, but the government quickly walked back those comments, reaffirming its support for freedom of navigation.The conference resulted in a total of 26 agreements and memorandums of understanding in various sectors, compared to 24 agreements signed at last year’s meeting in Singapore. The two countries are preparing to celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2027.
