Sulawesi Sea

by HIDAYATH HISHAM

MALAYSIA’S ability to pursue economic cooperation in the ND6 and ND7 blocks in the Sulawesi Sea remains limited due to unresolved maritime boundary issues with Indonesia.

Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said any project or initiative in the area must not compromise national sovereignty.

“That is why the matter of ND6 and ND7 has stalled — because we cannot proceed, and if we are forced to, it will become like the border conflict in Thailand and Cambodia,” he said during PM’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to a supplementary question from Mohd Shahar Abdullah (Barisan Nasional [BN]-Paya Besar), who asked whether there are any current economic cooperation efforts in the ND6 and ND7 zones.

Anwar said relations with Indonesia remain strong and must be preserved, and both sides recognise Malaysia’s sovereign position, which requires continued negotiations.

“Moreover, our relationship with Indonesia is very, very good in many aspects and must be maintained. It also understands that we are a sovereign nation, cannot surrender anything, and negotiations must continue,” he said.

Mohd Shahar also raised concerns about security strategies and the need for development in the area.

In response, Anwar said the government remains committed to peaceful negotiations and maintaining stability in the region.

“The government remains consistent in continuing negotiations to ensure the situation in the area remains peaceful without any conflict,” he said.

He added that security within the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZONE) continues to be reinforced through operations under the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM).

“Security control in the ESSZONE continues to be strengthened through continuous operations by ESSCOM involving an annual expenditure of RM40 million,” he said.

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KUALA LUMPUR — Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg are expected to join the national delegation for the Malaysia-Indonesia annual consultation in Jakarta on July 29, where discussions will include matters related to the Sulawesi Sea.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the presence of the two leaders was crucial as any agreement related to the country’s borders must receive approval from these two state governments, while also allowing their views to be conveyed directly to Indonesia.

“This matter must be agreed to by the Sabah government. Therefore, on July 29, we will continue discussions in Jakarta, and the Sabah Chief Minister will be part of the delegation, as Sabah’s consent is required whenever there are discussions regarding the border,” he said.

“Official bilateral meetings and joint commissions are formal platforms, and for any official meeting involving Singapore or Indonesia, I always make it a rule to invite the Sarawak Premier and the Sabah Chief Minister to be part of the delegation. This will also be the case for the meeting on July 29,” he said.

He said this in response to a question from Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) on whether the 2002 International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision regarding the sovereignty of Ligitan and Sipadan islands could affect the determination of the maritime boundary between Malaysia and Indonesia in the Sulawesi Sea, including the sovereignty of blocks ND6 (Block Y) and ND7 (Block Z). — BERNAMA

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