Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore Pledge to Keep the Strait of Malacca Open Amid the Hormuz Crisis

Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, the three littoral states of the Strait of Malacca, affirmed in a joint statement on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 (3 Shahrivar 1405), their commitment to keeping the strait, Asia's busiest shipping route, free and safe for navigation. According to Oilprice.com, the statement came amid the ongoing Strait of Hormuz crisis and a sharp drop in tanker traffic through it. Singapore's Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow said at a joint Indonesia Malaysia Singapore forum that this year's events in the Middle East reminded the world that open sea lanes cannot be taken for granted, and that the three countries would work to keep the Malacca and Singapore Straits free, open and safe. The Strait of Malacca is the shortest route for transporting oil cargoes from the Middle East to Asia.