KUALA LUMPUR: Perikatan Nasional MPs have submitted a motion to the Dewan Rakyat seeking a full debate on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s explanation of the Malaysia-Indonesia border issue.
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (PN-Machang) said the motion was filed under Standing Orders 18(1) and 18(2), arguing that a one-way briefing was insufficient given unresolved questions surrounding the matter.
He said Perikatan wanted clarity on the status of 5,207ha of land said to be part of an outstanding boundary problem (OBP), which had been described as not belonging to any country.
"We are asking the Speaker to allow a debate because a one-sided explanation is not enough. There must be engagement between the government and the Opposition.
"We want the Prime Minister to clarify what he meant when he said the 5,207 hectares was not Malaysia’s but had become Indonesia’s, yet was described as if it were 'no man’s land'," Wan Ahmad Fayhsal told a press conference at the Parliament building on Thursday (Feb 5).
ALSO READ: Claims that over 5,200ha was given to Indonesia is misinformation, PM tells Parliament
He said Perikatan was pressing for a special sitting on the Malaysia-Indonesia border issue, warning of potential losses if the matter was not scrutinised.
On Wednesday (Feb 4), Anwar said OBP areas between Malaysia and Indonesia could not be considered as belonging to either country as they had yet to be formally resolved by both sides.
The Prime Minister was responding to reports alleging that Malaysia had ceded 5,207ha to Indonesia in exchange for three villages in the Nunukan area near the Sabah-Kalimantan border, namely Kampung Kabungalor, Kampung Lepaga and Kampung Tetagas.
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal also questioned why a debate that had earlier been permitted following the briefing was later withdrawn, saying parliamentary scrutiny was necessary to address gaps and allow public assessment of lawmakers’ arguments.
"Any issue involving changes to national borders must comply with Article 2 of the Federal Constitution," he said, adding that such changes would require approval from the affected state legislative assemblies as well as the consent of the Conference of Rulers.
He noted that Semporna MP Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal had also raised concerns over the absence of approvals relating to Sabah.
