PM: Sabah’s rights over Sulawesi Sea intact, no deal yet with Indonesia

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim dismissed claims that Malaysia has ceded its rights over disputed areas in the Sulawesi Sea, saying negotiations with Indonesia are still ongoing and involve the Sabah state government.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the National Farmers, Breeders and Fisherfolk Day in Kota Kinabalu, Anwar said any agreement on maritime borders or oil and gas cooperation must comply with legal and historical frameworks - including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) 1982, and most importantly, receive Sabah’s consent.

“It (the area) is called Ambalat (by Indonesia), we call it the Sulawesi Sea. There are those who make accusations in Parliament saying, ‘wah, it’s already settled’,” he said, rubbishing claims that Putrajaya had quietly reached a deal with Jakarta over the disputed area.

“We must discuss in Parliament according to the law, according to Unclos 1982, according to historical precedent, and it must be agreed to by the Sabah state government.

“In the end, the state's legal position is what we decide in front of this official meeting, not the scribbles and deceptions down below,” he added.

Also present at the event were Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor and members of the state cabinet.

PM offended

Anwar said he was offended by allegations from several state political leaders that his handling of the matter lacked transparency, stressing that he had acted in good faith in conversations with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, whom he described as a “personal and family friend”.

“I represent the federal government to defend the rights of the state of Sabah, not a single inch will we sacrifice.

“This is our country. You know, we spent tens of millions of ringgit, maybe reaching a hundred million… the whole world defending Sabah’s rights, not allowing a single inch of sea or land to be encroached upon by anyone,” he said, citing Malaysia’s legal battle against the Sulu heirs’ US$15 billion (RM64 billion) arbitration claim.

Malaysia had successfully challenged the arbitration award and prevented enforcement attempts in multiple jurisdictions.

Anwar also clarified that any future oil and gas cooperation in the area would be based on a joint development approach, similar to Malaysia’s existing arrangements with Vietnam and Thailand, without compromising sovereignty.

“We are negotiating with friends. It’s not that we are surrendering, but we are negotiating in a good way.

“If the oil is partly under Malaysia’s border and partly under Indonesia’s border, there must be cooperation.

“Even if the oil we extract is from Sabah’s land, but the oil underneath runs into Indonesia’s land, that cooperation must exist,” he stressed.

Brickbats from local politicians

Last month, Anwar proposed that Malaysia and Indonesia proceed with joint development of the disputed maritime zone without waiting for a legal resolution.

This prompted criticism from Sabah leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Jeffrey Kitingan, who said the state was not consulted.

The disputed area, located in the Celebes Sea off the east coast of Sabah and North Kalimantan, is believed to contain oil and gas reserves and is subject to overlapping claims by Malaysia and Indonesia.

On July 23, Semporna MP Shafie Apdal told Parliament that Sabah’s maritime borders, including the Ambalat or Sulawesi Sea area, must not be altered without the state government’s approval.

He also called for transparency on what Sabah stands to gain from any related discussions or proposals.

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