The settlement of the land border dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia on Sebatik Island has finally reached a breakthrough. Under the latest agreement, an area of 127.3 hectares, previously administered by Malaysia, is now officially part of Indonesia’s sovereign territory.
This agreement is described as the result of peaceful diplomacy following a long process, grounded in historical treaties and comprehensive field verification.
New Border Agreement Reached
Presidential Chief of Staff Muhammad Qodari stated that the resolution of the land boundary on Sebatik Island is “a tangible manifestation of successful peaceful diplomacy that strengthens Indonesia’s territorial sovereignty.”
He confirmed that the 127.3-hectare area, which previously fell within Malaysia’s borders, is now formally part of Indonesia. Conversely, around 4.9 hectares of Indonesian territory have been incorporated into Malaysia.
This adjustment forms part of an agreement reached within the Joint Indonesia–Malaysia Boundary Committee (JIMBC), formalized through the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Outstanding Boundary Problems (OBP) for Sebatik Island on February 18, 2025.
Deputy Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning and National Land Agency (ATR/BPN), Ossy Dermawan, noted that approximately 23 kilometers of land boundary segments were affected. He emphasized that the changes involved both gains and losses of territory on each side.
“The outcome of the MoU on OBP for Sebatik Island during the 45th Joint Indonesia–Malaysia Boundary Committee session confirms that around 23 km of boundary segments were adjusted, with some areas decreasing and others increasing on both sides,” Ossy stated during a meeting with Commission II of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) in Jakarta on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
Support Measures for Border Villages
The shift in the boundary line affects not only administrative maps but also the lives of communities in the affected areas. BNPP Secretary Makhruzi Rahman stated that parts of three villages, Kabulangalor, Lepaga, and Tetagas, are now included within Malaysian territory.
The government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, has established a special team to calculate compensation for affected residents, including matters related to land and property ownership.
At the same time, the government is strengthening border area management by allocating Rp86 billion in 2026. This budget will support the operation of 15 Cross-Border Posts, known as Pos Lintas Batas Negara or PLBN, managed by BNPP.
From December 2016 to October 2024, Indonesia has built and inaugurated 15 out of the 18 planned PLBNs. These facilities, including PLBN Sebatik, now serve not only as border crossing points but also as emerging centers of economic growth. More than 2.4 million people have crossed through these posts, with trade value reaching Rp13.5 trillion.
A Long-Standing Dispute Rooted in the Colonial Era
The border dispute on Sebatik Island has deep historical roots dating back to the colonial period. The initial boundary between Dutch- and British-controlled territories was established through the London Convention of 1891, which applied the watershed principle as a natural boundary and was ratified on May 11, 1892.
However, geographical conditions on the ground did not fully align with this principle, prompting further clarification through the 1915 and 1928 conventions. These agreements defined the boundary using straight lines or by following river courses, accompanied by the installation of boundary markers as physical references.
The issue persisted even after both countries gained independence. A re-survey conducted in the 1970s revealed discrepancies with earlier conventions.
Differences in surveying technology, the loss of several boundary pillars, including the westernmost marker, and varying interpretations of historical documents further complicated the situation.
In particular, the Sebatik dispute is also linked to the Sipadan and Ligitan case, which emerged in 1967 and was resolved in 2002 through a ruling by the International Court of Justice in favor of Malaysia. The ambiguity of surrounding boundary lines, including in Sebatik, then became a continuing issue.
Sebatik Island itself is a unique territory divided between two countries. The southern part falls under Indonesia’s administration in Nunukan Regency, North Kalimantan, while the northern part lies within Sabah, Malaysia. The boundary line that cuts across the island stands as a clear symbol of the complexities of territorial delimitation.
Over time, Indonesia and Malaysia identified several disputed points known as Outstanding Boundary Problems (OBP). With the agreement on a new boundary in Sebatik, one of the long-standing disputes rooted in the colonial era has finally been resolved. Indonesia has now officially gained an additional 127.3 hectares as part of the reaffirmation of its territorial sovereignty.
