Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia unite to secure safe passage in crucial straits

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Together, the Straits of Malacca and Singapore form the world’s busiest corridor for crude oil and petroleum liquids by volume

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Kolette LimPublished: 1:59pm, 21 Apr 2026Updated: 4:00pm, 21 Apr 2026Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia are working closely together to keep vessels moving safely through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said on Tuesday, stressing the three countries’ shared responsibility for keeping the waterways open and secure.

“The Straits of Malacca and Singapore are used for international navigation, and therefore the rights of transit passage similarly apply,” said Gan, who is also trade and industry minister, speaking on the opening day of Singapore Maritime Week.

“They are not only important to Singapore, but to all the countries bordering it. Also, it connects the east from the west, so it’s important for the rest of the world,” he said.Advertisement

“This is something that we have worked together over the years, to make sure that we maintain the straits as a shared responsibility.”

His comments came as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz caused by the US-Israel war on Iran have sharpened focus on other major maritime chokepoints – including the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, which link Asia with the Middle East and Europe.AdvertisementAdvertisementSelect VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x