Malaysia ISWAMI President Ahmad Zaini Kamaruzzaman was quoted by ANTARA in Kuala Lumpur on Friday as saying authorities had confirmed that negotiations on demarcation and measurement in Outstanding Boundary Problem areas were conducted harmoniously.
He said the talks were not based on reciprocity, compensation or gain-and-loss considerations, but focused on resolving technical boundary issues under long-standing bilateral agreements.
“ISWAMI hopes the media will report accurately, truthfully and in line with journalistic principles and ethics, without creating narratives that could strain relations between Indonesia and Malaysia,” Ahmad Zaini said.
Earlier, Malaysia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability said media reports dated Jan. 22, 2026 claiming Malaysia ceded 5,207 hectares of land to Indonesia as compensation were inaccurate.
The ministry said the issue did not involve a territorial handover, but reflected technical outcomes of jointly agreed boundary demarcation and measurement under formal bilateral mechanisms.
Finalization of the land boundary measurement was carried out through the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two countries on Feb. 18, 2025.
The agreement followed more than 45 years of comprehensive and transparent technical negotiations between Indonesia and Malaysia, involving multiple joint committees and survey teams.
Both countries’ commitment to accelerating the resolution of the Sabah-North Kalimantan land border was reaffirmed during former Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s state visit to Malaysia on June 8, 2023.
The negotiations also involved representatives of the Sabah state government as part of Malaysia’s official delegation in the technical discussions.
“ISWAMI believes the leaders of both countries have adopted a diplomatic approach grounded in goodwill and friendship,” Ahmad Zaini said.
He stressed that public trust in the bilateral process depended on clear, factual and responsible information reaching audiences in both countries.
ISWAMI also urged both governments to provide clear briefings to national media so the border issue can be fully understood and does not trigger negative speculation among the public.
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Translator: Rangga PAJ, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Primayanti
Copyright © ANTARA 2026
