PM: Indonesia got 5,207ha of no man's land, not M'sian soil
Qistina Nadia Dzulqarnain & Alyaa Alhadjri
Published: Feb 4, 2026 12:13 PM
Updated: 6:39 PM
PARLIAMENT | Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has clarified that the 5,207ha of land claimed by Indonesia recently was not previously part of any nation.
Addressing the Dewan Rakyat today, Anwar explained that the area could not be regarded as belonging to any country as ownership of the land was subject to negotiations and a “boundary that has yet to be finalised.”
“The determination of boundaries is not based on principles of compensation, reciprocity, or profit and loss, as alleged.
“Instead, the determination of the boundary between Malaysia and Indonesia is based on conventions and agreements,” Anwar said in a ministerial briefing session on the matter.
He added that while the area did indeed fall within Indonesia’s administration based on a 1915 map attached to a boundary agreement between the British and Dutch governments, Malaysia had previously not agreed to the claim as the map had not been finalised.
“All this time, since 1915, (Indonesia’s claim on the land) was not disputed… although it was not finalised because the agreement was not signed, it nevertheless became owned and administered by the Indonesian government.
“The boundary in the OBP (outstanding boundary problem) area, based on the principles contained in the 1915 agreement, resulted in an additional 780ha becoming Malaysia’s… while the 5,987ha remain under Indonesian ownership, held by Indonesia since 1915,” Anwar explained.
‘Be prudent with statements’
As such, he reiterated Putrajaya’s denial that Malaysia had handed over its land to Indonesia as compensation for three villages in the Nunukan area, with the prime minister labelling such claims as “untrue, false, (and) made with malicious intent.”
“We are bound by the agreement… areas that since 1915 have been emphasised, and all our records explain that while we did not ratify them, we never claimed them as Malaysian territory,” he said.
Anwar cautioned against using the issue for political gain.
“Our statements must be cautious and prudent. If one is seeking political gain, this is not the time (nor should it be done at) the expense of Malaysia’s interests, nor at the expense of good relations between the two countries,” he added.
Published: Feb 4, 2026 12:13 PM
Updated: 6:39 PM
PARLIAMENT | Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has clarified that the 5,207ha of land claimed by Indonesia recently was not previously part of any nation.
Addressing the Dewan Rakyat today, Anwar explained that the area could not be regarded as belonging to any country as ownership of the land was subject to negotiations and a “boundary that has yet to be finalised.”
“The determination of boundaries is not based on principles of compensation, reciprocity, or profit and loss, as alleged.
“Instead, the determination of the boundary between Malaysia and Indonesia is based on conventions and agreements,” Anwar said in a ministerial briefing session on the matter.
He added that while the area did indeed fall within Indonesia’s administration based on a 1915 map attached to a boundary agreement between the British and Dutch governments, Malaysia had previously not agreed to the claim as the map had not been finalised.
“All this time, since 1915, (Indonesia’s claim on the land) was not disputed… although it was not finalised because the agreement was not signed, it nevertheless became owned and administered by the Indonesian government.
“The boundary in the OBP (outstanding boundary problem) area, based on the principles contained in the 1915 agreement, resulted in an additional 780ha becoming Malaysia’s… while the 5,987ha remain under Indonesian ownership, held by Indonesia since 1915,” Anwar explained.
‘Be prudent with statements’
As such, he reiterated Putrajaya’s denial that Malaysia had handed over its land to Indonesia as compensation for three villages in the Nunukan area, with the prime minister labelling such claims as “untrue, false, (and) made with malicious intent.”
“We are bound by the agreement… areas that since 1915 have been emphasised, and all our records explain that while we did not ratify them, we never claimed them as Malaysian territory,” he said.
Anwar cautioned against using the issue for political gain.
“Our statements must be cautious and prudent. If one is seeking political gain, this is not the time (nor should it be done at) the expense of Malaysia’s interests, nor at the expense of good relations between the two countries,” he added.
He also highlighted that representatives of the Sabah state government, including the Chief Minister’s Office, the Sabah Attorney-General’s Office, and the Land Department, were fully involved in all negotiation sessions held with Indonesia.
“Every inch of land was negotiated and agreed upon by the Sabah government before being finalised with the governments of Malaysia and Indonesia,” he said.
He further noted that while there is an understanding between the two nations and the approval of an agreement which has been finalised at the negotiation stage, all necessary processes related to the matter have yet to be completed.
Anwar also assured that all border-related issues will be referred to the respective state legislative assemblies, after which the Conference of Rulers will be consulted.
Previously, the opposition had pressed Putrajaya to address the issue.
The calls for transparency came after Indonesian media reported that Malaysia had ceded over thousands of hectares of its land in exchange for three villages - Kampung Kabulangalor, Kampung Lepaga, and Kampung Tetagas - in Pulau Sebatik, along the Sabah-Kalimantan border.
For comparison, the land area is much larger than Putrajaya, which spans 4,931ha.
According to the republic’s investigative news organisation Tempo, Indonesian National Border Management Agency secretary Makhruzi Rahman said this followed a territorial settlement agreement in which the border line was shifted.
Speaker suggests taking it to committee
Commenting on the opposition’s calls for an explanation on the matter, Anwar accused Perikatan Nasional leaders of issuing “rude and demeaning statements” as well as insults.
While his remark caused a brief shouting match in Parliament, the prime minister went on to affirm that matters which touch on national interests, including border issues, should be discussed prudently.
Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin later thanked the premier for his explanation while insisting that questions directed to Anwar and the government bench are a part of their parliamentary functions.
Larut MP Hamzah Zainudin
Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul proposed that the matter be brought to the attention of a parliamentary select committee, which would be able to summon all those involved in the issue for their insights before tabling a report in Parliament later.
Such a step, Johari said, would further allow lawmakers time to study the prime minister’s explanation before issuing comments or queries.
Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul proposed that the matter be brought to the attention of a parliamentary select committee, which would be able to summon all those involved in the issue for their insights before tabling a report in Parliament later.
Such a step, Johari said, would further allow lawmakers time to study the prime minister’s explanation before issuing comments or queries.
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