Latest news with #TechnicalMeetingonMaritimeBoundariesDelimitation
The Star
06-08-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Tok Mat: Disputed area should be called Laut Sulawesi
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.
The Star
05-08-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Use 'Sulawesi Sea' and not 'Ambalat' to refer to contested maritime area, says Tok Mat
KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan ( pic ) has urged all parties to refer to the contested maritime area off Sabah as the Sulawesi Sea, not Ambalat – a term, he says, Indonesia uses to reinforce its territorial claims. Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Aug 5), Mohamad said the disputed area includes Blocks ND6 and ND7, which Malaysia maintains are within its sovereign waters. 'I wish to draw the attention of this august House to the reference to Ambalat by Indonesia. Their claim covers part of the Sulawesi Sea, including Blocks ND6 and ND7. ALSO READ: Nothing final yet on Sulawesi Sea issue with Indonesia, PM tells Dewan Rakyat 'Malaysia's position is that these blocks fall within our sovereign area, based on international law and the 2002 International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling. 'Therefore, the accurate reference in line with Malaysia's stance is 'Laut Sulawesi' (Sulawesi Sea), not Ambalat. 'The term Ambalat is Indonesia's nomenclature to strengthen its claim. We should not use it,' he added. Mohamad was responding to a question about the possibility of jointly developing the area, which lies within the 1979 New Map of Malaysia, with Indonesia. He reiterated that the ICJ's ruling on Sipadan and Ligitan had affirmed Malaysia's maritime rights projected from the two islands, which include Blocks ND6 and ND7 – the very blocks Indonesia now disputes. Under international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, maritime boundaries are determined based on the low-water line along the coast, not the high-tide mark, Mohamad said. He pointed out that while Malaysia adheres to this principle, Indonesia has claimed otherwise. ALSO READ: Leaders set on resolving border issues, boosting ties He assured the House that Malaysia is handling the matter through peaceful means, maintaining a strong bilateral relationship with Indonesia. 'Maritime boundary negotiations are ongoing under 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 shouldn't allow the remaining 2% to lead to conflict. 'Let us negotiate that 2% calmly. Surely we don't want to go to war over it,' he added. Mohamad stressed that finalising the maritime boundary remains a government priority and outlined several strategic steps. ALSO READ: Sabah kept in loop on Malaysia-Indonesia Sulawesi Sea Treaty negotiations, says CM They include concluding maritime delimitation with Indonesia through diplomatic, legal, and technical mechanisms; ensuring Sabah's involvement in any decision that affects or borders the state; and safeguarding Malaysia's strategic and security interests, particularly in natural resources, territorial waters, and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). On Sabah's role, Mohamad said 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. He also welcomed suggestions for officials from Wisma Putra or the Malaysian Maritime 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 become a thorn in our side or political fodder, especially with the upcoming Sabah election. 'Let us not allow it to mislead the rakyat, especially our people in Sabah and Sarawak,' he said.
New Straits Times
29-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia, Indonesia reaffirm commitment to resolving Sulawesi Sea boundary issue
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Indonesia have reaffirmed their determination to conclude the boundary issue at the intertidal area and the gap from the low water line to Point M in the Sulawesi Sea. In a joint statement of the 13th Annual Consultation between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, both leaders welcomed the continued progress in the negotiations of the maritime boundary delimitation under the mechanism of the Technical Meeting on Maritime Boundaries Delimitation between the two countries. "We reiterated the importance of maintaining constructive engagement and close coordination between the relevant agencies of both countries to ensure steady progress in the maritime boundary delimitation process. "We underlined the need for continued goodwill and shared understanding to address any outstanding matters, moving towards mutually beneficial solutions for both countries." Both Anwar and Prabowo said Malaysia and Indonesia must take concerted steps to sustain the positive momentum and to find a mutually acceptable solution and to work towards finding common ground as a breakthrough in resolving the maritime boundary delimitation between the two countries. "We were satisfied with the positive progress made on the issue of land demarcation, particularly the signing of the MoUs on the Demarcation and Survey of the International Boundary for Outstanding Boundary Problem (OBP) during the 45th Meeting of the Joint Indonesia-Malaysia Boundary Committee (JIM-45) in Jakarta, Indonesia, from Feb 17 to 18. "After more than 45 years of negotiations and with the signing of these MoUs, the land border OBP in the Eastern Sector (North Kalimantan-Sabah) has been fully agreed upon by both countries. "In this regard, Malaysia is of the position that the remaining land boundary in the Eastern Sector, namely the intertidal area at the east coast of Pulau Sebatik, needs to be resolved." Moving forward, the Joint Indonesia-Malaysia Boundary Committee is tasked to continue negotiations of the OBP in the Western Sector (West Kalimantan-Sarawak)." In the statement, both leaders also welcomed the continued strengthening of bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of political cooperation, economic ties, socio-cultural exchange, and people-to-people connectivity. Meanwhile, as the major global palm oil producers and founders of the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC), Anwar and Prabowo said close cooperation between Malaysia and Indonesia is important to address the various challenges in the palm oil industry. "Both countries agreed to continue to collaborate on promoting sustainable palm oil and countering negative campaigns against palm oil." In the statement, Anwar and Prabowo acknowledged the commitment of both parties to improve the protection of basic rights, welfare, and livelihood of all Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia. "We took note of the four working group meetings that have been held since the signing of the MoU on the Employment and Protection of Indonesian Domestic Migrant Workers in Malaysia since April 1, 2022,and encouraged both sides to continue to iron out any impediments in facilitating the employment of Indonesian domestic migrant workers. "Both sides also agreed to review the MoU on Recruitment of Indonesian Workers between the Government of Malaysia and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia 2004, including by providing a mechanism to address all issues pertaining to all Indonesian migrant workers in a comprehensive manner." Both leaders also welcomed the shared desire to renew the MoU between Malaysia and Indonesian governments on Disaster Cooperation and Assistance which was signed on Dec 11, 1997. "It is hoped that constructive engagement towards the MoU's renewal can be pursued, with the updated agreement reflecting new commitments and its implementation aligned with the availability of resources." Both Anwar and Prabowo also agreed that the 14th Annual Consultation will be held in Malaysia next year, on a mutually agreed date to be communicated through diplomatic channels.
