Malaysia disputes Indonesian media reports on Sabah border, says talks ongoing
To compensate for the transfer of three Indonesian villages to Malaysia, Jakarta would receive some land, according to the media reports
“Negotiations are still ongoing. The areas on the map and on the ground are different. Discussions are carried out according to the law, but no decision has been made yet,” Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said on Monday, as quoted by Bernama news agency.
“We will instruct our technical committee and surveyors to carry out the work … but in the end, the leaders of both countries will reach an agreement and an understanding on how it is to be decided.”
Indonesian Secretary of the National Agency for Border Management Makhruzi Rahman announced last week that three villages in Nunukan regency, North Kalimantan, had been designated as Malaysian territory, Kompas newspaper reported.
“In the former Sinapad area and Lumbis Hulu district, Nunukan regency, there are three villages whose territories partially extend into Malaysia,” he said during a working meeting with the House of Representatives Commission II on Wednesday.
The Indonesian villages of Kabulangalor, Lepaga and Tetagas became part of Malaysia when the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding regarding Sebatik Island on February 18 last year.