Singapore and Indonesia Pledge Open Straits, Deepen Bilateral Cooperation
During the second Singapore-Indonesia Leaders' Retreat in Jakarta, President Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong pledged to keep the Strait of Malacca open and secure per UNCLOS, effectively dismissing a proposed levy on vessels. They also called for free passage through the Strait of Hormuz amid Middle East disruptions. The leaders signed 26 cooperation agreements, including a key MOU on cross-border low-carbon electricity trade, reinforcing economic resilience and maritime security.
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Indonesia and Singapore Reaffirm Strait of Malacca Must Remain Open to All Vessels
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, meeting at the second Singapore-Indonesia Leaders' Retreat in Jakarta, jointly pledged to keep the Strait of Malacca open and secure for all vessels in accordance with UNCLOS. The affirmations came after Indonesian Foreign Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa raised the idea of imposing a levy on ships passing through the vital chokepoint, drawing regional concern. Prabowo's statement effectively dismissed that proposal. Wong highlighted that recent Middle East disruptions underscored the strait's importance. The leaders also oversaw the signing of 26 agreements, including an MoU between Indonesia's Danantara sovereign wealth fund and Singaporean firms to expand cross-border low-carbon electricity trade, with price negotiations ongoing.
The DiplomatIndonesia and Singapore Pledge Malacca Strait Remains Open to All Vessels
During the second Singapore-Indonesia Leaders' Retreat in Jakarta, President Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong jointly affirmed the Strait of Malacca must remain open, safe, and accessible per UNCLOS. The statement follows Indonesian Foreign Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa's April proposal to impose a levy on vessels using the strait, a suggestion that sparked regional concern. Prabowo's comments effectively ruled out monetization of the waterway. Singapore and Indonesia also announced 26 cooperation agreements, including a key MOU on expanding cross-border low-carbon electricity trade between Indonesia's sovereign wealth fund Danantara and Singaporean firms Keppel Electric, Sembcorp Industries, and Singapore Energy Interconnections. The leaders emphasized shared interests in maintaining unimpeded transit passage and keeping sea lines of communication open, citing recent Middle East disruptions as underscoring the strait's strategic importance.
The DiplomatIndonesia and Singapore Reaffirm Strait of Malacca Must Remain Open to All Vessels
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, meeting at the second Singapore-Indonesia Leaders' Retreat in Jakarta, jointly pledged to keep the Strait of Malacca open and secure for all vessels in accordance with UNCLOS. This affirmation comes after Indonesian Foreign Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa raised the idea of imposing a levy on ships passing through the vital chokepoint, drawing regional concern. Prabowo's statement effectively dismisses that proposal. Wong highlighted that recent Middle East disruptions underscore the strait's importance. The leaders also oversaw the signing of 26 agreements to strengthen economic ties, including a key MoU between Indonesia's Danantara sovereign wealth fund and Singaporean firms on expanding cross-border low-carbon electricity trade, with price negotiations ongoing.
The DiplomatSingapore and Indonesia Vow Closer Cooperation, Call for Free Passage Through Strait of Hormuz
Ministers from Singapore and Indonesia have pledged to deepen bilateral cooperation by keeping markets open, ensuring unimpeded trade flows, and strengthening regional supply chains. In a joint statement, they specifically called for maintaining free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy shipments. The agreements aim to bolster economic resilience and maritime security amid ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting global trade routes. The meeting underscores the two Southeast Asian neighbors' commitment to collaborative approaches in safeguarding trade and supply chain stability.
The Business TimesSingapore, Indonesia vow closer cooperation, call for free passage through Strait of Hormuz
Singapore and Indonesian ministers have pledged to deepen bilateral cooperation, keep markets open, maintain unimpeded trade flows, and strengthen regional supply chains. They also issued a joint call for free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint for global energy shipments. The announcement was made on July 6, 2026, as reported by The Business Times Singapore. The move underscores the two ASEAN neighbors' commitment to trade stability and regional resilience amid ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting key shipping lanes. The call for free passage in the Strait of Hormuz highlights concerns over potential disruptions to oil and gas shipments that could impact the broader Asian economy.
The Business Times