Federal Gov't Collaborates With Sabah On Maritime Boundary Issues

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- The Federal government continues to work closely with the Sabah state government in negotiations and discussions aimed at resolving the maritime boundary issue between Malaysia and Indonesia.

Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin said Sabah government representatives are involved in related meetings and technical negotiations concerning the maritime boundary between the two countries.

"The Federal government takes seriously the views and position of the Sabah state government when making decisions to ensure that Malaysia's sovereignty, sovereign rights, and national interests are safeguarded," he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He said in reply to a question from Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) on whether the Sabah government had been involved in discussions regarding Blocks ND6 and ND7, which had previously been raised by Indonesia.

Mohamad further added  that the government conducts thorough and comprehensive assessments of any proposed solutions, including economic cooperation, to ensure mutually beneficial outcomes for both parties. 

When asked if the government planned to assign more significant names to Blocks ND6 and ND7, Mohamad said the matter had not been discussed, and the government continues to use the current terms.

Earlier, the Foreign Ministry confirmed that Malaysia refers to the maritime area encompassing Blocks ND6 and ND7,  which lie within Peta Baru Malaysia 1979, as the Sulawesi Sea, rather than ‘Ambalat,’ as used by Indonesia.

-- BERNAMA