Senior leaders from Sabah are calling for an explanation from Malaysia's Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, after his recent visit to Jakarta raised concerns about a potential agreement to jointly develop the disputed Ambalat oil block with Indonesia, Malaysian media reported.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan expressed disappointment and frustration, stating that the Federal Government owes Sabah an explanation regarding the decision, which involves a resource-rich maritime zone bordering Sabah’s eastern waters. "If this decision was made without consulting Sabah, then it is another way of bypassing our rights," Kitingan said. He vowed to raise the issue in Parliament and seek formal clarification from the Prime Minister.
The call for clarity follows reports that Malaysia and Indonesia have agreed in principle to jointly explore oil and gas resources in the Ambalat zone, a region that remains a subject of territorial dispute.
Former Sabah Chief Minister Yong Teck Lee warned that the Federal Government could be repeating the mistakes of the 2009 deal over Blocks L and M, where Malaysia allegedly ceded rights to Brunei without consulting Sabah. "It would be fundamentally detrimental to Sabah if Malaysia now signs away sovereignty, even on a joint venture basis," Yong added, questioning how such decisions could affect Sabah’s future control over its continental shelf and territorial waters.
Yong also referred to the ongoing legal challenge to the 2012 Territorial Sea Act, which limits state control to three nautical miles, emphasizing that any deal impacting Sabah’s maritime boundary must first be debated in both the Malaysian Parliament and the Sabah Legislative Assembly.
Read also: Indonesia, Malaysia agree to jointly develop Ambalat's hydrocarbon potential
Meanwhile, Warisan information chief Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman argued that any agreement regarding Ambalat without Sabah’s explicit consent would violate the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). “Any changes to Sabah’s maritime boundaries cannot be done unilaterally by the Federal Government. These decisions must have the approval of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly,” Azis stated.
Azis also questioned whether the reported "mutual understanding" between Malaysia and Indonesia had been communicated to the Sabah government or lawmakers. He urged the Malaysian Foreign Ministry to issue a correction if the media reports were inaccurate, warning that failure to do so could damage diplomatic relations and undermine Sabah's sovereignty.
While emphasizing support for diplomacy and peaceful dispute resolution, Azis stressed that such decisions must align with the legal and constitutional protections afforded to Sabah under MA63. "Unilateral action without the consent of Sabah’s legislature constitutes a contract breach under the Malaysia Agreement, carrying serious implications for the future of our federation," he concluded.
Editing by Alexander Ginting
