Indonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono declared on Thursday that the country will not pursue tolls on ships navigating the Strait of Malacca, a vital waterway for global trade. This announcement aims to alleviate concerns raised by Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, who questioned the appropriateness of not charging tolls. The Strait of Malacca, located between Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, is a strategic route where approximately 40% of global trade transits annually, including significant energy shipments to China, Japan, and South Korea. Sugiono emphasized that as an archipelagic state, Indonesia must adhere to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which guarantees the right of transit passage through such chokepoints. Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan reiterated the importance of keeping these sea lanes open and free from additional charges, aligning with Indonesia's stance on navigation rights.