Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar said that the boundary demarcation between Malaysia and Indonesia is in accordance with the designated treaties and agreements, and not, as some have alleged, based on compensation, reciprocity, or profits and losses.
He said that these disputed areas (OBP) cannot be regarded as the territory of any country, as these areas are under negotiation and no final decision has been made. The negotiations are also not based on compensation, reciprocity, or profits and losses, but are instead guided by international treaties and legal documents.
He said that the land boundary demarcation between Malaysia and Indonesia is based on the 1891 Anglo-Dutch Boundary Convention, the 1915 Anglo-Dutch Boundary Agreement, and the Anglo-Dutch Boundary Convention signed at The Hague on March 26, 1928 regarding parts of Sabah and Sarawak.
He stated that the core principle of these treaties stipulates that the area be determined by the position at 4°20' North latitude where the Sinapat River and the Sesayap River flow into the sea.
Anwar said that the area north of 4°20' North latitude falls under the jurisdiction of British North Borneo (now Sabah), while areas south of the same latitude fall under the Dutch (now Indonesia).
He mentioned that joint boundary demarcation work between Malaysia and Indonesia began in 1977. According to the map annexed to the 1915 Treaty, it was initially shown that the mouths of the Sinapat and Sesayap Rivers are situated south of 4°20' North latitude.
However, he pointed out, a joint field survey found that the actual mouth of the Sinapat River is north of 4°20' North latitude, not south as shown on the map.
"Based on this finding, the Malaysian side holds that all catchment areas lying north of 4°20' North latitude belong to Malaysia."
He said that the Malaysia-Indonesia land boundary stretches about 2,064 kilometers in total, divided into the Sabah–North Kalimantan (KALTARA) segment of about 416.4 kilometers, and the Sarawak–West Kalimantan (KALBAR) segment of about 1,644.6 kilometers.
"Currently, only the KALTARA segment has been fully surveyed, involving the Sipadan Island and the areas of the Sinapat and Sesayap Rivers."
He made these remarks today (4th) in the Dewan Rakyat while briefing MPs regarding Malaysia's boundary issues with Indonesia.
Earlier, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability clarified that media reports about Malaysia handing over 5,207 hectares of land to Indonesia as compensation for three villages in Nunukan, near the Sabah–Kalimantan border, are not true.