Sabah Ensures State's Interests Remain Protected in Pulau Sebatik Border Demarcation Issue

The Sabah government has firmly reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the state's interests in ongoing border demarcation negotiations with Indonesia, specifically concerning the island of Sebatik. Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, emphasized that Sabah's rights are consistently prioritized and protected through consistent involvement in all technical and diplomatic discussions.

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To ensure the state's interests are always protected and prioritized, the Sabah state government is always involved at every stage of the negotiations.

This assurance is grounded in the legal framework of Malaysia, with Article 2 of the Federal Constitution stipulating that any alteration to a state's boundaries requires the consent of its State Legislative Assembly. This constitutional safeguard ensures that Sabah's position is robustly defended in any decisions made regarding its territory. The state's consistent engagement involves key bodies such as the Chief Minister's Department, the State Attorney General's Chambers, and the State Lands and Surveys Department.

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According to Article 2 of the Federal Constitution, any change to the state's border cannot be made without the consent of the DUN, thus guaranteeing Sabah's position in any decision.

Recent developments on Pulau Sebatik, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) No. 23 on February 18, 2025, have seen Malaysia gain an additional 780 hectares through boundary adjustments in the Sungai Sinapad and Sungai Sesai areas. It is crucial to understand that this adjustment does not involve a surrender of sovereignty but rather adherence to international agreements. While the land border has seen progress, negotiations continue for the remaining maritime areas and four Outstanding Boundary Problems (OBP) in the Sarawak–West Kalimantan sector, underscoring the intricate and ongoing nature of border management between Malaysia and Indonesia.

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The claim that 100 hectares of land were handed over to Indonesia does not involve the surrender of sovereignty, but rather compliance with international agreements.