2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Talks ongoing with Indonesia on jointly developing Sulawesi Sea blocks
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that discussions with Indonesia on jointly developing areas in the Sulawesi Sea, specifically blocks ND6 and ND7, are still ongoing, and no agreement has been reached yet.
He said discussions will resume on July 29 and will include Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, as the state's maritime borders will be addressed, and Hajiji's input will be necessary before any potential resolution can be reached.
"There is no agreement yet regarding the Sulawesi Sea. Therefore, when negotiations reach this topic, the (Sabah) government will be involved," he said during the Prime Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
The annual consultation between Malaysia and Indonesia on July 29 will also be joined by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Last month, Anwar and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto expressed the strong commitment of both countries to accelerate strategic cooperation in various fields, including joint development in the maritime border area of Malaysia and Indonesia in a peaceful and mutually beneficial manner.
Anwar added that the details of the proposed joint development areas were not made public due to the non-disclosure clause. He said Malaysia remains firm on its sovereignty over the two areas.
"The important thing is that the status of the Sulawesi Sea has not been finalised. Our final decision is based on the Sulawesi Sea Treaty Agreement, but Indonesia does not agree.
"What is our stance? There are two options, either to go to war or to negotiate, and we choose to negotiate."
Anwar was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) regarding whether a joint development area has been signed with Indonesia to develop the Sulawesi Sea, including the ND6 and ND7 blocks claimed by both countries, and why Sabah was not involved in the negotiations held in Jakarta on June 27.
Commenting further, Anwar explained that his visit to Jakarta (last month) was an informal one, as a reciprocal gesture to the visit of Prabowo, who had already visited Malaysia four times.
He said that there was no official agenda set, but he and Prabowo did discuss informal matters.
