Develop Ambalat Without Waiting To Resolve Dispute Says Anwar

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 The prime minister said it could take decades to resolve legal issues over the disputed area, said to possess the world’s largest crude oil reserves.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (right) being greeted on arrival in Jakarta today on a one-day visit for talks with Indonesia’s president Prabowo Subianto. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: Malaysia and Indonesia should go ahead to jointly develop the disputed oil-rich Ambalat area off the east coast of Borneo without waiting to solve legal and regulatory obstacles, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said today
“If we wait for everything to be finalised, it could take decades,” he said in Jakarta, Bernama reported.
“We should start joint development now to benefit both nations and support the local population,” he said after talks with Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto.
Prabowo had called for accelerated efforts to resolve technical border issues and to begin joint economic projects in areas like Ambalat through a joint development authority.
Anwar said he and Prabowo had expressed the strong commitment of both countries to accelerate strategic cooperation in various fields including joint development in Ambalat in a peaceful and mutually beneficial manner.
They also pledged to boost cooperation in research, education, culture, trade, and investment amid global economic uncertainty caused by the US tariffs.
Malaysia and Indonesia have overlapping territorial claims on the 15,000 sq km Ambalat sea block, which is said to possess the world’s largest crude oil reserves.
In 2023, deputy foreign affairs minister Mohamad Alamin said discussions about the Sulawesi Sea Treaty signed by Malaysia and Indonesia in June 2023 would not be held publicly to safeguard the sensitivity of the matter.
He also said the treaty’s documents would not be made public until Malaysia and Indonesia have completed their ratification processes in accordance with domestic laws.
The Sulawesi Sea Treaty has faced scrutiny after it was claimed that Malaysia was relinquishing its rights to the oil-rich disputed Ambalat block. - FMT

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