Regarding the border with Indonesia, Anwar Ibrahim: Maintain good relations between the two countries

JAKARTA - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim invited all parties to maintain good relations between Malaysia and Indonesia, in every statement made regarding the Malaysian-RI border issue.

Anwar conveyed this when giving an official explanation of the government to the Malaysian parliament, in Kuala Lumpur, Wednesday, February 4, about the issue of Malaysia's borders with Indonesia, especially Sabah-North Kalimantan, which recently sparked discussions and debates in the two countries.

"We can have different opinions but don't impose punishment and also don't offend our colleagues in Indonesia, who are trying to establish a very good and close relationship between the two countries," said Anwar Ibrahim as reported by ANTARA.

Anwar said that every negotiation regarding the border of the two countries, there will certainly be sensitive things. Therefore, he invited all parties to be careful and wise in expressing their opinions, especially in the public space.

He hoped that no party would seek narrow political gains at the expense of Malaysia's interests or at the expense of the good relations between the two countries.

Anwar's explanation

Anwar explained that on January 22, 2026, there was a report in the media, which said that Malaysia had handed over 5,207 hectares of land to Indonesia as compensation for three villages or villages in Nunukan, Indonesia, which became part of Malaysia, namely Kabungalor Village, Lipaga and Tetagas.

He emphasized that it was not true. And the issue of the Indonesian-Malaysian border has never been based on a reciprocal relationship or profit and loss.

Malaysia, said Anwar, highly respects every joint agreement that has been taken with Indonesia as a friendly country.

According to Anwar, the determination of the Malaysian-RI border, so far, is based on two conventions and one agreement.

First, the convention or border agreement between Britain and the Netherlands in 1891 on the whole of Sabah and Sarawak.

Second, the special convention of Sabah which was carried out between the British and the Dutch in the 1915 border agreement.

Third, the border agreement for a small part of Sarawak between Britain and the Netherlands which was signed on March 26, 1928.

For the border problem area (outstanding boundary problem/OBP) of the Sinapad River and the Sesai River, which is currently an issue, the determination of the boundary line is based on the 1891 agreement and the 1915 agreement.

Anwar said the main principle contained in the agreement stipulates that the determination of the territory is based on the position of the mouth of the Sinapad and Sesai rivers at the latitude of 4 degrees 20 minutes north.

He said the area north of the 4 degrees 20 minutes north latitude was under British rule (Sabah/Malaysia), while the area south of the same latitude was under Dutch rule (Indonesia).

The work of determining the borders of Malaysia and Indonesia itself began in 1977 in stages.

Based on the map contained in the 1915 agreement, the position of the mouth of the Sinapad and Sesai rivers is south of the 4 degrees 20 minutes north latitude line.

However, based on measurements in the field, the results showed that the mouth of the Sinapad River actually flows north of the 4 degrees 20 minutes north latitude line and not south as shown on the original map.

"Based on these findings, according to Malaysia's view, all river basins that flow north of the 4 degrees 20 minutes north latitude belong to Malaysia," he said.

At the same time, Anwar said the OBP area previously could not be considered as belonging to any country, because the area is a negotiation and border determination area that has not been resolved for a long time.

The point, said Anwar, based on conventions and agreements, the three villages in Nunukan indeed automatically belong to the territory of Sabah, Malaysia, while 5,207 hectares have indeed remained Indonesian territory since 1915.

"I want to emphasize that the determination of the border is not based on the principle of reciprocity or profit and loss as mentioned. Instead, the determination of the Indonesian-Malaysian border is based on conventions and agreements as described," he said.