How the Ambalat Block Dispute Shadows Malaysia-Indonesia Relations

August 4, 2025 | 03:32 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has emphasized that the border dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia in the Ambalat block will not escalate into an armed conflict reminiscent of the recent Thailand-Cambodia clashes.

Anwar assures that the issue will be addressed through diplomatic channels, not military means.

The Malaysian leader said he's discussed the matter with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. "What should we do? Declare war? So if we don't want to do it, we must find an amicable resolution to the conflict," said Anwar at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.

This statement was made in response to public concerns over potential tensions at the Indonesia-Malaysia border, especially following the escalating conflict at the Thailand-Cambodia border on July 24, 2025.

Anwar also revealed that he faced pressure from the opposition in the Malaysian parliament urging the government to take a firmer stance on border issues, including the Sulawesi region and the Ambalat Block. However, he emphasized that the government remains committed to a dialogue and negotiation approach.

"You have a choice; you go to war, or you negotiate. Sane people must choose the route to negotiate, and precisely, that's what we did," said Anwar.

He also added that the negotiation process between the two countries always relies on international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and is based on historical agreements that have been agreed upon by Indonesia and Malaysia.

History of the Ambalat Dispute

Citing a journal on the Ambalat dispute, the block has long been a focal point in regional navigation and natural resource exploration.

In the early days, the area's sovereignty status was not clearly defined, especially due to overlapping interests between countries in the region.

During the colonial era, the boundaries between Southeast Asian territories tended to be unclear and often only based on colonial agreements that did not fully regulate maritime zones in detail.

Indonesia claims Ambalat as part of its territory, referring to its status as an archipelagic state based on international law, especially the principles under UNCLOS. This claim is reinforced by historical maps, agreements, and legal doctrines recognizing Indonesia's archipelagic character.

On the other hand, Malaysia declares its claim over part of Ambalat, referring to a unilateral 1979 map that includes the area in its maritime boundaries. Malaysia also cites geographic proximity to islands such as Sipadan and Ligitan, and refers to previous diplomatic statements to support its claim.

Tensions between the two countries began to escalate in the 1980s and 1990s, marked by intensified patrols, resource exploration activities, and diplomatic protests. Indonesia rejected Malaysia's claim, underscoring the legal and geographical basis of its claim, while Malaysia's statements gained attention in the region.

In 2003, Indonesia officially protested against Malaysia's maritime claim that included the Ambalat block, deemed inconsistent with UNCLOS and the sovereignty principles of the archipelagic state.

Tensions peaked in 2009 when Malaysia announced plans to explore oil and gas in the disputed area, which Indonesia responded by tightening patrols and reaffirming its claim.

Although various diplomatic efforts have been made, including bilateral dialogue and proposals for exploration cooperation, no final settlement has been reached. Throughout the 2010s, this dispute remained a sensitive issue in the region, with both countries maintaining their sovereignty claims and keeping the door open for peaceful solutions through dialogue.

Both Indonesia and Malaysia emphasize the importance of resolving the dispute through dialogue and legal mechanisms based on UNCLOS.

Editor’s Choice: Indonesia, Malaysia Explores Possibility of Joint Development of East Ambalat Oil Block

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