JAKARTA, Oct 13 — Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto and his Malaysian counterpart Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan have expressed their commitment to completely resolving the border dispute between the two nations, including the Ambalat Block, reported the ANTARA News Agency.
“In essence, with the commitment of our head of government, we want to solve all our problems with a family approach, a friendly approach as neighbours that will solve all problems as well as possible. Almost all problems are almost resolved. I think so,” Subianto said.
He was speaking at the 43rd Malaysia-Indonesia General Border Committee (GBC Malindo) meeting in Jakarta yesterday.
Meanwhile, Mohamad said the relations between Indonesia and Malaysia are based on a spirit of brotherhood and friendship, so he is optimistic the negotiations regarding the border dispute can hopefully be completed soon.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also conveyed their commitment to resolving the border problem when they met in Putrajaya on June 8, 2023.
Both said Indonesia and Malaysia have negotiated on their state boundaries in the southern Malacca Strait and the Sulawesi Sea; meanwhile, for the land borders in Sebatik and Sinapad, both expressed hope the negotiations will be completed soon.
However, the agreement at the Putrajaya meeting did not cover maritime boundaries in the Ambalat Block.
The Ambalat Block is a sea block covering an area of 15,235 square kilometres. It is located in the Sulawesi Sea or Makassar Strait and borders Malaysian waters.
Based on reports from Malaysian media, including Bernama, Malaysian officials said the maritime boundary agreement between Indonesia and Malaysia in the Sulawesi Sea does not include the Ambalat Block, which Malaysia refers to as Blocks ND6 and ND7.
In August this year, Malaysian Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Muhammad Alamin emphasised that Indonesia and Malaysia have yet to negotiate their maritime boundaries in Ambalat, especially regarding the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and the continental shelf of the two countries.
Indonesia and Malaysia still claim full sovereignty over the two waters.
— Bernama
