KOTA KINABALU: The 100 hectares of land on Sebatik Island put under Indonesian control complies with the 1891 British-Dutch government’s Boundary Convention, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
The Chief Minister said Sabah also gained about 780ha of land previously under Indonesia following the land boundary demarcation carried out in line with the colonial Boundary Convention.
The Sebatik land boundary, packaged together with two rivers in Kalabakan, was finalised through the signing of Memorandum of Understanding No.23 on Feb 18, 2025, between Malaysia and Indonesia.
“The status of the 100 hectares of land on Sebatik Island said to have been handed over to Indonesia was not a surrender of sovereignty, but rather compliance with the Boundary Convention of 1891,” he told the Sabah State Assembly here on Wednesday (April 29) night.
His speech was read by Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
Hajiji explained that the determination of the land boundary on Sebatik Island is based on the Boundary Convention of 1891, signed between the British Government and the Dutch Government on June 20, June 1891.
“Under Article 4 of that convention, the land boundary on Sebatik Island was set along the latitude line of 4º 10’ North. This boundary was considered an Outstanding Boundary Problem (OBP) because it had not been finalised at that time,” he said.
A joint technical review by Malaysia and Indonesia in 1983 found discrepancies between the boundary alignment recorded on the ground and the 1891 Boundary Convention, as the boundary line on the ground did not lie along latitude 4º 10’ North, Hajiji said when winding up debates on the Yang di-Pertua Negeri’s government policy speech.
“Subsequently, joint survey, marking, and re-measurement works along latitude 4º 10’ North were carried out by survey teams from both countries between February and November 2019, using modern equipment and the latest technology to ensure the boundary alignment was determined more accurately.
“The resolution of the boundary realignment on Sebatik Island was packaged together with the boundary realignment at Sungai Sinapad and Sungai Sesai (Kalabakan), where Malaysia gained an additional 780 hectares of territory that was previously within Indonesia, now recognised as Malaysian territory,” he added.
Hajiji said that the Malaysia–Indonesia land boundary has not yet been fully completed, specifically in the intertidal area on the eastern side of Sebatik Island covering 870 metres towards the sea, as well as four OBP areas in the Sarawak-West Kalimantan sector.
“Therefore, negotiations between Malaysia and Indonesia are still ongoing to resolve these outstanding areas,” he said in addressing the Sebatik issue raised by opposition leader Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Senallang).
Hajiji said the government ensured Sabah's interests are always protected and prioritised.
“The state government has consistently been involved at every stage of technical and diplomatic negotiations, through the participation of representatives from the Chief Minister’s Department, the State Attorney-General’s Department, and the Sabah Lands and Surveys Department.
“The entire process of negotiation, marking, and measurement was carried out based on mutual agreement between both countries, in line with international law, and did not involve principles of compensation, reciprocity, or profit-and-loss considerations.
“Malaysia acted in compliance with international legal instruments to uphold Sabah’s rights and ensure more effective border security control recognised by both countries,” he added.
