Indonesia Eyes Malacca Strait Transit Fees as Hormuz Crisis Fires Up Global Energy Chokepoints

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — Indonesia is preparing to pivot from a passive geographic bystander to an active gatekeeper of global trade. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa revealed a bold proposal Wednesday to charge international vessels for passage through the Malacca Strait, the world’s busiest maritime corridor, as Jakarta seeks "offensive" new sources of economic growth.

The timing is critical for global markets. With the Strait of Hormuz currently under a U.S. naval blockade and Iranian threats, 20% to 30% of the world’s oil supply is at risk, driving Brent crude toward $100 per barrel. If Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore successfully coordinate a levy on the Malacca Strait—through which nearly 100,000 ships pass annually—it would fundamentally alter the cost structure of global shipping and energy transit between the Middle East and East Asia.

Monetizing the World’s Busiest Lane

Speaking at a symposium for PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero) (PT SMI)—the state-owned infrastructure financing firm—Purbaya argued that Indonesia must stop being a "peripheral" nation and start acting like the strategic hub it is.

"As per the President's direction, Indonesia is not a peripheral country. We are in a strategic global trade and energy path," Purbaya said on Wednesday (4/22/2026). He noted that currently, international ships transit the strait for free despite much of the water falling within Indonesian jurisdiction.

The Minister pointed to Iran's reported plans to charge for Hormuz transit as a precedent. "If we split it three ways—Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore—it’s quite a lot. We have the largest and longest path; Singapore is small. Malaysia can take two shares. If it could be like that, but it's not currently so," Purbaya added, highlighting the need for regional cooperation.

A Proactive Fiscal Shift

The proposal marks a departure from Indonesia’s traditionally "defensive" fiscal management. Purbaya emphasized that the government will no longer rely solely on state spending to drive the economy. Instead, it will leverage its geographic leverage to create faster growth while maintaining fiscal credibility.

"We will create faster growth by remaining proactive," Purbaya stated. He also hinted that the government might step into roles traditionally reserved for Bank Indonesia (BI), the central bank, to ensure liquidity reaches the real sector. "Actually, this is the central bank's task... we're 'stealing' a little bit. What's important is that the economy grows faster in the future," he remarked.

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The Hormuz Shadow: Oil Nears $100

While Indonesia eyes future fees, the immediate global focus remains on the "smoldering" Strait of Hormuz. Despite an extended ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, a U.S. naval blockade led by the USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) is costing Iran an estimated $500 million per day in lost oil exports.

Geopolitical uncertainty has sent Brent crude climbing to $98.51 per barel and WTI to $89.29. The conflict has moved into a dangerous "gray zone" where formal peace exists, but civilian tankers are being fired upon by Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) fast boats.

For Indonesia, the Hormuz crisis is a double-edged sword: it raises domestic fuel subsidy pressures but validates Purbaya’s push to secure and monetize the Malacca Strait as a vital alternative and corridor for global energy security.