KOTA BELUD: The National Unity Organization of Sabah (PERPADUAN) President Gundohing Jack Giau has criticised the remarks by the Chief of Staff to the President of Indonesia, Muhamad Quadari, who claimed that 127.3 hectares of Sabah land in Sebatik belong to Indonesia.
He said PERPADUAN viewed this matter seriously and urged the Malaysian government, particularly the Sabah state government, to provide a detailed explanation regarding this revelation.
“Sebatik Island is the only island physically divided by the international border between Malaysia (Sabah) and North Kalimantan, Indonesia, referred to as NORTH BORNEO during the British colonial era.
“The boundary line on the island was established during the colonial period through agreements between the BRITISH NORTH BORNEO COMPANY (REPRESENTING SABAH AT THAT TIME) AND THE NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES, and the significant 1891 British-Dutch convention set the latitude of 4 degrees 10’ as the main boundary of the area.
“This boundary has been detailed through a delimitation process (determination on maps), and any changes to the area typically involve technical adjustments to the boundary and coordinate corrections (resurvey), not a massive transfer of sovereignty,” he said in a statement here today.
Jack mentioned that Malaysia is still in negotiations and that the border issue should be resolved collaboratively.
He added that any decision should be officially announced by both parties through a bilateral agreement and must involve Sabah.
In this regard, Jack emphasised that the Malaysian government needs to seek the views of the people of Sabah first before finalising the border issue.
“The Sebatik area is particularly sensitive as it involves national security, especially concerning cross-border activities and local economic resources,” he added.
