Malaysia Denies Land Cession to Indonesia

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has strongly denied allegations that Malaysia ceded over 5,000 hectares of land to Indonesia as compensation for three villages in the Nunukan area near the Malaysia===Sabah-Kalimantan border. He clarified that the land alignment is strictly guided by long-standing conventions and treaties inherited from British and Dutch administrations, not by compensation or land swaps. The issue stems from 'Outstanding Boundary Problems' (OBPs) where historical maps and physical geography discrepancies required updated measurements. Under finalized measurements, Malaysia gained 780 hectares in the Sungai Sinapat-Sungai Sesai sector, while 5,987 hectares remained under Indonesian administration, a territory Malaysia never formally claimed. Small portions of three villages (Kampung Kabungalor, Kampung Lepaga, and Kampung Tetagas) now fall within Malaysia===Sabah due to boundary alignment. Negotiations are ongoing for other OBPs in Malaysia===Sabah-Indonesia===North Kalimantan and Malaysia===Sarawak-Indonesia===West Kalimantan sectors. Anwar urged lawmakers not to politicize the issue, emphasizing the importance of responsible discussions and strong bilateral relations with Indonesia.