Tok Mat: Disputed area should be called Laut Sulawesi

The Star

2 days ago

THE disputed maritime area off Sabah should be referred to as Laut Sulawesi, not Ambalat, as the latter is a term used by Indonesia to bolster its territorial claims, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, Mohamad said the contested area includes Blocks ND6 and ND7, which Malaysia maintains lie within its sovereign waters.
'I wish to draw this August House's attention to Indonesia's reference to the area as Ambalat. Their claim encompasses parts of the Sulawesi Sea, including Blocks ND6 and ND7.
'Malaysia's position is that these blocks are part of our sovereign territory, based on international law and the 2002 ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
'Therefore, the accurate term, in line with Malaysia's stance, is Laut Sulawesi, not Ambalat. The term Ambalat is Indonesia's nomenclature used to support its claim, and we should avoid using it,' he said.
Mohamad was responding to a question about potential joint development with Indonesia in the area, which lies within the 1979 New Map of Malaysia.
He reiterated that the ICJ's ruling in favour of Malaysia over Sipadan and Ligitan affirms the country's maritime rights projected from the two islands, including Blocks ND6 and ND7, now under dispute by Indonesia.
Under international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, maritime boundaries are determined using the low-water line along the coast, not the high-tide mark, Mohamad noted.
He said that while Malaysia abides by this principle, Indonesia has taken a differing stance.
Assuring the Dewan Rakyat of Malaysia's peaceful approach, Mohamad said the matter is being handled diplomatically, in view of the strong bilateral relationship with Indonesia.
'Negotiations on the maritime boundary are ongoing through the Technical Meeting on Maritime Boundaries Delimitation between Malaysia and Indonesia, which has been in place since 2005.
'We enjoy good relations with Indonesia, 98% of it is positive. We should not allow the remaining 2% to escalate into conflict.
'Let us address that 2% calmly. Surely, we don't want to go to war over this,' he said.
Mohamad reaffirmed that finalising the maritime boundary with Indonesia is a government priority and outlined several key strategies.
They include concluding maritime delimitation with Indonesia through diplomatic, legal, and technical mechanisms; ensuring Sabah's involvement in any decisions affecting or bordering the state; and protecting Malaysia's strategic and security interests, particularly in natural resources, territorial waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone.
On Sabah's role, Mohamad assured that the state government is fully involved in all technical discussions and negotiations.
'The Federal Government works closely with Sabah. Their representatives are included in meetings and technical negotiations on maritime boundaries with Indonesia,' he said.
Mohamad also welcomed suggestions for officials from Wisma Putra or the Marine Department to brief MPs, senators and Sabah assemblymen to prevent confusion or political manipulation.
'There's no issue with conducting briefings. We can schedule them to ensure everyone understands the matter clearly.
'We don't want this to be turned into a thorn on our side or used as political fodder, especially with the upcoming state election.
'Let us not allow it to mislead the rakyat, especially our rakyat in Sabah and Sarawak,' he said.