Indonesia’s Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa shook Asian geopolitics with an unprecedented proposal: to impose a fee on vessels transiting the Strait of Malacca. The model, he openly acknowledged, draws inspiration from Iran’s strategy of charging tolls in the Strait of Hormuz.

Malacca is one of the most critical chokepoints on the planet. Around 40% of global trade flows through it, along with most of the Middle East oil headed to China, Japan and South Korea. For Beijing it is a vital artery: a dominant share of its energy imports comes through this waterway.

The regional reaction was immediate. Singapore and Malaysia rejected the idea without hesitation. Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan warned that Hormuz is only a “dry run” of what could happen in Asia, and that free transit must remain untouched. Malaysia reiterated its commitment to freedom of navigation.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has highlighted his country’s strategic position, controlling the longest stretch of the strait. In parallel, Jakarta deepened military cooperation with the United States during the Iran war and is weighing a proposal to allow US military overflights through its airspace.