The two decades of the Indonesian -Malaysia sea dispute that never ended

KABARJAWA – Twenty years ago, the anger of the Indonesian people culminated. In 2005, the name Ambalat suddenly became a national spotlight, triggering diplomatic tension between Indonesia and Malaysia.

In fact, embers emotions almost exploded into armed conflicts. Now, two decades later, the old wound was revealed again.

Ambalat returned to become a stage of attraction. The Sulawesi Sea not only holds resource wealth, but also becomes a test of maturity diplomacy between the two countries.

Twenty years have passed, and the world is waiting: Will this dispute end with a new map or a new round of feud?

Ambalat conflict

The Head of the Geomatics Engineering Masters, Department of Geodesy Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Gadjah Mada University (UGM), I Made Andi Arsana, stressed that the Ambalat problem is a long story that has not found the end point.

“We are talking about the Sulawesi Sea, a strategic area in the east of the island of Borneo or Kalimantan. According to the official document of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) S-23, this region is recognized as the Sulawesi Sea,” he said.

Indonesia -Malaysia land boundaries have actually been regulated since the colonials of Britain and the Netherlands. The line divides Sebatik Island into two parts.

However, big problems arise when the boundary line stops on the beach. There is no continuation towards the sea. As a result, the division of sea space in the Sulawesi Sea has never been agreed upon, even today.

Indonesia from the beginning assumed that the land boundary line should have been continued to coordinates 4 ° 10 ‘North Latitude.

That way, the entire region in the south of the line belongs to Indonesia. Unfortunately, this is only Indonesia’s will, not a mutual agreement with Malaysia.

Unilateral claims

Since the 1960s, Indonesia has issued claims on the sea through the concession block of exploration and oil exploitation.

In 1966 and 1970, the blocks were officially announced. Not wanting to lose, Malaysia in 1979 issued a stone map that expanded its claim unilaterally.

“Indonesia strongly protested the map because it was considered excessive. The Philippines also refused. But Malaysia continued to run,” said Made Andi.

In fact, the two countries continue to make unilateral claims without ever agreeing. Indonesia even still issued a block of other concessions such as Sebawang and Bukat.

In 1999, Indonesia officially set a sea block called Ambalat. This is the beginning of the emergence of a name that is now famous. Five years later, in 2004, Indonesia increased the East Ambalat block.

The crisis exploded in 2005. Malaysia announced the ND6 and ND7 blocks that overlap with the Indonesian concession area, including Ambalat.

The dispute heated up, the warship of the two countries had faced each other, and the public on both sides also burned his emotions.

Two decades of negotiations

Since 2005, Indonesia and Malaysia have continued to negotiate. The target is simple but difficult: making the final boundary line in the Sulawesi Sea. But until now, the agreement is still limited to hope.

The problem is more complicated because of the existence of Sipadan and Ligitan Islands which belong to Malaysia after the decision of the International Court of Justice in 2002.

Indonesia assessed that the two islands were only small islands that should only have 12 territorial nautical miles. With that view, Indonesia proposes a more profitable boundary line. Malaysia refused, still holding the 1979 map.

Overlapping claims were broad. Ambalat Block, Ambalat Timur, ND6, and ND7 are all in the disputed area.

According to Made Andi, the ideal settlement is to set a permanent boundary line recognized by both parties.

Another alternative is a joint exploration cooperation in overlapping areas, as the discussion in the meeting of President Prabowo Subianto and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim last July. However, this solution is not an easy matter.

“It takes patience, clear thoughts, and strong political commitments. Indonesia and Malaysia are allied nations. Whatever happens, we must not break,” he said. (EF Linangkung)