Indonesia Will Not Charge Ships in Malacca Strait

Apr 24, 2026, 09:05

Introduction

On April 22, Indonesia''s finance minister said ships might have to pay money to use the Malacca Strait. This water is very important for world trade. Neighbor countries were worried. The next day, Indonesia''s foreign minister said the country will not charge any money.

Main Body

The finance minister spoke at a meeting about roads and ports. He said Indonesia does not ask for money now. He joked that three countries could share the money. But other countries did not like the idea. Singapore said all ships have the right to pass. Malaysia said no country can decide alone. Indonesia''s foreign minister said the country follows international law. This law says ships can pass freely. Some people said the minister''s words were a mistake. They said the government did not talk together before he spoke. Indonesia also said no to a plan to send ships to protect the Strait of Hormuz.

Conclusion

The foreign minister made it clear: no toll. The problem is finished for now. But the idea may come again in the future.

Vocabulary Learning

charge
To ask for money for a service.收費
Example:The government will not charge ships.
important
Something that matters a lot.重要
Example:The Malacca Strait is very important for trade.
money
Coins or paper used to buy things.錢
Example:Ships might have to pay money.
pass
To go through or across something.通過
Example:All ships have the right to pass.
ships
Large boats that carry people or goods on water.船隻
Example:Many ships use the Malacca Strait.

Sentence Learning

On April 22, Indonesia's finance minister said ships might have to pay money to use the Malacca Strait.
This sentence uses the past tense 'said' to report what the minister said. 'Might have to' shows a possible future action.本句使用過去式'said'來報告部長所說的話。'Might have to'表示一個可能的未來行動。
The next day, Indonesia's foreign minister said the country will not charge any money.
This sentence uses 'said' in past tense to report a statement. 'Will not' shows a future negative action.本句使用過去式'said'來報告一項陳述。'Will not'表示一個未來的否定行動。
Singapore said all ships have the right to pass.
This sentence uses 'said' to report Singapore's statement. 'Have the right to' shows permission or entitlement.本句使用'said'來報告新加坡的陳述。'Have the right to'表示許可或權利。
Indonesia's foreign minister said the country follows international law.
This sentence uses 'said' to report a statement. 'Follows' is present tense, showing a general truth or rule.本句使用'said'來報告一項陳述。'Follows'是現在式，表示一個普遍事實或規則。
The foreign minister made it clear: no toll.
This sentence uses the past tense 'made' and the phrase 'made it clear' to show he explained something clearly. 'No toll' is a short statement.本句使用過去式'made'以及詞組'made it clear'來表示他清楚地解釋某事。'No toll'是一個簡短的陳述。