SEREMBAN (Jan 27): Malaysia and Indonesia are still in the midst of negotiations regarding their land boundary, with no final resolution reached so far, according to Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
He explained that discussions are being conducted strictly within existing legal frameworks, as discrepancies remain between official maps and the actual conditions on the ground.
“The negotiation process is still ongoing. There are differences between what is reflected on the map and what exists physically on-site. All discussions are carried out in accordance with the law, and no final decision has been made,” he said.
Mohamad, who is also the Member of Parliament for Rembau and commonly known as Tok Mat, added that Malaysia will continue to rely on technical committees and surveyors to carry out detailed assessments. Ultimately, however, the final outcome will depend on mutual agreement between the leaders of both countries.
“Technical work will be undertaken by surveyors and relevant committees, but the final decision will be reached through consensus and understanding at the leadership level,” he told reporters after presenting school assistance at SMK Seri Sendayan on Monday.
Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dismissed reports suggesting that Malaysia had transferred 5,207 hectares of land to Indonesia as compensation for three villages in the Nunukan region near the Sabah–Kalimantan border. He stressed that Malaysia remains committed to amicable discussions on the matter.
Recent media reports had claimed that three villages in Nunukan, North Kalimantan, were included under Malaysian territory, while unresolved boundary issues in the Pulau Sebatik area allegedly resulted in Indonesia gaining an additional 5,207 hectares of land.
Meanwhile, Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup clarified that boundary demarcation and measurement negotiations are being conducted harmoniously. He emphasised that the process is not based on compensation, reciprocity, or gains and losses, but rather on technical and legal principles.
The ongoing demarcation efforts stem from a memorandum of understanding signed on Feb 18, 2025, marking the culmination of more than 45 years of comprehensive and transparent technical negotiations between Malaysia and Indonesia.
From a broader perspective, clear territorial boundaries and stable diplomatic relations are crucial for long-term regional planning and investment confidence. This stability supports sustainable development across Malaysia, including key economic hubs such as commercial property in KL, industrial land in Selangor, and growing business zones offering office space in Bukit Jalil, factory developments in Puchong, and industrial property in the Subang area.
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