Latest news with #MohamadAlamin
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Malaysia to retain ND6, ND7 terminology for oil and gas blocks, not Ambalat
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will continue to use the terms ND6 and ND7 for oil and gas blocks in the Sulawesi Sea, rather than adopting Indonesia's preferred reference to the Ambalat area, says Datuk Mohamad Alamin. The Deputy Foreign Minister told Parliament that discussions on renaming the blocks have not taken place, and Malaysia will maintain the existing terminology for now. He said the country would continue to address maritime boundary issues with Indonesia through technical meetings, stressing that negotiations should be conducted in a spirit of friendship rather than emotion. 'This year, we have had five meetings, and they will be used as best as possible to resolve matters, to discuss in a friendly way and not emotionally. 'At the same time, we will always safeguard Malaysia's sovereignty and ensure the rights and interests of Sabah are preserved,' he said during Question Time in Parliament on Wednesday (Aug 20). Mohamad was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran), who asked if Malaysia intended to adopt a more significant name to replace ND6 and ND7. The Deputy Minister also noted that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto issued a joint statement on June 27 during Anwar's official visit to Jakarta, which touched on the possibility of joint development in the Sulawesi Sea. He said the joint proposal was still at the early stage of consideration and had not been finalised. 'This is an initial effort by the leaders to explore the best solutions for both countries. 'The proposal is separate from the Sulawesi Sea Treaty signed on June 8, 2023, as that treaty only covers part of the territorial sea and does not include ND6 and ND7, which fall within the Exclusive Economic Zone or Continental Shelf,' Mohamad said. He added that in every negotiation with Indonesia, Malaysia would prioritise its sovereignty and the interests of Sabah. On joint development, Mohamad said Sabah and Sarawak leaders had agreed to continue negotiations under existing mechanisms. 'At the July 28-29 meeting, which also involved the Sabah Chief Minister and the Sarawak Premier, the Sulawesi Sea was discussed in general, and both leaders agreed that Malaysia and Indonesia should proceed with negotiations,' he said.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Malaysia sticks with ND6 & ND7 labels in Sulawesi sea dispute
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will continue to refer to the disputed areas in the Sulawesi Sea, which lies within the 1979 New Map of Malaysia, as Block ND6 and ND7, says Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin. He said there had been no discussions on renaming the area. "A new name has not yet been part of our discussions, but we will continue using the terms currently in place," he said during the oral question time in response to Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee in the Dewan Rakyat. Ronald (PN-Beluran), in his supplementary question, had asked whether Malaysia intended to assign a more significant name, adding that Indonesia referred to the waters belonging to Malaysia as Anbalat, while Malaysia called them Block ND6 and ND7. Mohamad reiterated that the Federal Government had always worked closely with the relevant stakeholders on matters concerning Malaysia's maritime boundaries through a whole-of-government approach. "Accordingly, in addressing the issue of maritime delimitation between Malaysia and Indonesia, the Federal Government consistently works in close cooperation with the Sabah Government throughout the negotiation and discussion process. "Representatives from the Sabah Government are also involved in the relevant meetings as well as the technical negotiations on maritime boundaries between Malaysia and Indonesia. "The Federal Government also consistently takes into serious account the views and positions of the Sabah Government in making any decisions, to ensure that Malaysia's sovereignty, sovereign rights, and interests are safeguarded at all times," he said. He added that discussions on maritime boundaries were conducted based on legal and technical principles in a careful, thorough, and prudent manner. Mohamad said that the proposal for joint development in the Sulawesi Sea remained at the preliminary consideration stage to explore the feasibility of such cooperation, and had not yet been finalised. "These are early efforts by both leaders to seek the best possible solution for both countries. "This joint proposal is also not part of the Sulawesi Sea Treaty signed on June 8, 2023, as that treaty only covers part of the territorial sea zone in the Sulawesi Sea and does not include Blocks ND6 and ND7, which are located in the Exclusive Economic Zone/Continental Shelf," he said. On the recent consultations with Indonesia last month, he said both Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto had agreed to instruct Malaysia and Indonesia to continue negotiations through the existing mechanism — the Technical Committee on Maritime Boundary Delimitation.
New Straits Times
08-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Asean-Norway can contribute to regional and global peace and stability
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean–Norway collaboration can contribute meaningfully to regional and global peace and stability, says deputy foreign minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin. He said Malaysia's priorities as Asean Chairman includes promoting peace and stability, expanding Asean's economic partnership beyond the region, and advancing efforts on climate change. "We believe that Norway could contribute significantly to these efforts through its initiatives related to peace-building. "In this context, we appreciate Norway's principled approach to upholding international law and multilateralism. "We believe Asean–Norway collaboration can contribute meaningfully to regional and global peace and stability, including support for peace-building efforts through Asean-led mechanisms," he said at the Trilateral Meeting between Malaysia, Norway and the Asean Secretariat. Norway was conferred the status of Sectoral Dialogue Partner of Asean at the 48th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) in 2015. Long before the conferment of this formal partnership, Asean and Norway had forged a relationship through a number of cooperative activities. Mohamad said Asean and Norway have made tremendous progress through the current Practical Cooperation Areas (PCA) 2021–2025. Malaysia, he said, will continue efforts to develop robust and forthcoming Practical Cooperation Areas for 2026–2030. He said Asean also appreciates Norway's engagement towards advancing Asean's climate transition, sustainable ocean governance, and waste management in areas where Norwegian expertise is both relevant and impactful. "We also welcome Norway's interest in enhancing cooperation in digital innovation, as well as trade and private sector engagement. "Malaysia remains committed to strengthening Asean–Norway external relations, and looks forward to continuing our constructive cooperation in advancing and promoting Asean–Norway cooperation in the years ahead," he said.
Daily Express
05-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Sabah will be included in Ambalat plans: Minister
Published on: Saturday, July 05, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jul 05, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Mohamad noted that the proposal for joint developmet in the Sulawesi Sea involving Blocks ND6 and ND7 – referred to by Indonesia as 'Ambalat' – is not new, as the area is reported to hold significant natural resources such as oil and gas. JAKARTA: Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin said the proposal for Malaysia and Indonesia to jointly develop economic potential in the Sulawesi Sea area has yet to be finalised. He said several processes must be considered beforehand, especially securing the views and consent of the Sabah Government. Advertisement He added that the existing consultation mechanisms between the Federal Government and the Sabah Government will be fully utilised, including the Action Council for Implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MTPMA63), which is chaired by the Prime Minister, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. 'In any case, the joint development in the Sulawesi Sea remains under consideration and has indeed not yet been finalised,' he said in a Facebook post Friday. Mohamad noted that the proposal for joint developmet in the Sulawesi Sea involving Blocks ND6 and ND7 – referred to by Indonesia as 'Ambalat' – is not new, as the area is reported to hold significant natural resources such as oil and gas. According to him, in 2022, the Prime Minister at the time had directed Petronas to consider conducting a study on the proposed joint development (JD) initiative. Most recently, Mohamad said that the issue concerning Blocks ND6 and ND7 was also raised during Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's working visit to Jakarta on June 27. 'This matter was indeed discussed. However, it has not yet been finalised. In fact, the Prime Minister himself stated that the interests of the Sabah region must be taken into account and considered fairly.' Mohamad said Malaysia and Indonesia are still unable to explore the two blocks, as the area remains under dispute in terms of maritime boundaries between the two countries. 'Given the significant economic potential – while the process of finalising maritime boundaries in the Sulawesi Sea between the two countries is still ongoing – some parties have proposed that Malaysia and Indonesia jointly develop this potential.' Mohamad emphasised that the process of finalising the maritime boundary in the Sulawesi Sea is a long-term and complex effort, carried out through a Technical Committee led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The committee comprises various government agencies, including the Sabah State Government, the National Security Council (Sabah), the Sabah Attorney General's Office, the Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia (JUPEM), the Sabah Lands and Surveys Department, as well as other relevant technical agencies. Mohamad stressed that the Malaysian Government remains committed to thoroughly examining the matter and reaching a mutual understanding through negotiations based on existing mechanisms. In any development, the country's sovereignty and strategic interests – particularly those involving the state of Sabah – will continue to be safeguarded and defended to the fullest extent, Mohamad said. He stated that the maritime boundary agreement signed with Indonesia in 2023 does not affect Malaysia's territorial rights or sovereignty over the eastern waters of Sabah. He said the Sulawesi Sea Treaty, signed on June 8, 2023 and known as the 2023 Sulawesi Treaty, only covers a portion of the territorial sea off the east coast of Sabah and does not include Malaysia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). 'The agreement does not cover the area known as Blocks ND6 and ND7, or referred to by Indonesia as 'Ambalat', which lies within Malaysia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extending up to 200 nautical miles.' Mohamad also dismissed allegations that the Malaysian Government had compromised Sabah's territorial rights and sovereignty to Indonesia following the signing of the 2023 Sulawesi Treaty. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
04-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Ambalat issue: Joint development proposal yet to be finalised
Published on: Friday, July 04, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 04, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: JAKARTA: Malaysia's Deputy Foreign Minister, Datuk Mohamad Alamin, stated that the proposal for Malaysia and Indonesia to jointly develop economic potential in the Sulawesi Sea area has yet to be finalised. He said that several processes must be considered beforehand, especially securing the views and consent of the Sabah State Government. Advertisement He added that the existing consultation mechanisms between the Federal Government and the Sabah State Government will be fully utilised, including the Action Council for Implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MTPMA63), which is chaired by the Prime Minister, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. 'In any case, the joint development in the Sulawesi Sea remains under consideration and has indeed not yet been finalised,' he said in a Facebook post on Friday. Mohamad noted that the proposal for joint developmet in the Sulawesi Sea involving Blocks ND6 and ND7 — referred to by Indonesia as 'Ambalat' — is not new, as the area is reported to hold significant natural resources such as oil and gas. According to him, in 2022, the Prime Minister at the time had directed Petronas to consider conducting a study on the proposed joint development (JD) initiative. Most recently, Mohamad said that the issue concerning Blocks ND6 and ND7 was also raised during Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's working visit to Jakarta on June 27. 'This matter was indeed discussed. However, it has not yet been finalised. In fact, the Prime Minister himself stated that the interests of the Sabah region must be taken into account and considered fairly,' he explained. Mohamad said Malaysia and Indonesia are still unable to explore the two blocks, as the area remains under dispute in terms of maritime boundaries between the two countries. 'Given the significant economic potential — while the process of finalising maritime boundaries in the Sulawesi Sea between the two countries is still ongoing — some parties have proposed that Malaysia and Indonesia jointly develop this potential.' Mohamad emphasised that the process of finalising the maritime boundary in the Sulawesi Sea is a long-term and complex effort, carried out through a Technical Committee led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The committee comprises various government agencies, including the Sabah State Government, the National Security Council (Sabah), the Sabah Attorney General's Office, the Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia (JUPEM), the Sabah Lands and Surveys Department, as well as other relevant technical agencies. Mohamad stressed that the Malaysian Government remains committed to thoroughly examining the matter and reaching a mutual understanding through negotiations based on existing mechanisms. In any development, the country's sovereignty and strategic interests — particularly those involving the state of Sabah — will continue to be safeguarded and defended to the fullest extent, Mohamad said. He stated that the maritime boundary agreement signed with Indonesia in 2023 does not affect Malaysia's territorial rights or sovereignty over the eastern waters of Sabah. He said the Sulawesi Sea Treaty, signed on June 8, 2023 and known as the 2023 Sulawesi Treaty, only covers a portion of the territorial sea off the east coast of Sabah and does not include Malaysia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). 'The agreement does not cover the area known as Blocks ND6 and ND7, or referred to by Indonesia as 'Ambalat', which lies within Malaysia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extending up to 200 nautical miles.' Mohamad also dismissed allegations that the Malaysian Government had compromised Sabah's territorial rights and sovereignty to Indonesia following the signing of the 2023 Sulawesi Treaty. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
