Why is Sabah questioning the Ambalat joint development plan?

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Sabah Questions Joint Development of Ambalat Due to Unaddressed Territorial Rights

Sabah is questioning the joint development plan for the Ambalat maritime region with Indonesia primarily because of concerns that the state's territorial rights and jurisdiction over the area have not been adequately addressed or consulted. Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan has emphasized that Ambalat has historically been considered part of Sabah’s territorial waters, and any agreement made without the state government's prior consultation is viewed as an insult and a disregard for Sabah's rights. This sentiment stems from Sabah's ongoing advocacy for the return of its continental shelf and maritime territory as part of its rights under the Malaysian Agreement 1963.
Disputed Territorial Claims and Unconsulted Agreement

The core of Sabah's objection lies in the perceived lack of consultation regarding the joint development plan for the Ambalat sea block. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim indicated that Malaysia and Indonesia should proceed with joint development without waiting for legal and regulatory obstacles to be resolved, a statement that Kitingan suggests was made without prior engagement with the Sabah state government. This lack of consultation is seen as a significant oversight, particularly given that Ambalat, a 15,000 sq km area believed to hold substantial crude oil reserves, has always been considered within Sabah's territorial waters.
Sabah's Asserted Jurisdiction Over Maritime Areas

Sabah's stance is further reinforced by its historical assertions of jurisdiction over its maritime territories, including the seabed up to the continental shelf. Kitingan has previously argued that, under the Land Ordinance (Sabah Cap.68), submerged land falls under Sabah's jurisdiction, and consequently, the state's rights to manage and utilize its continental shelf, including its oil and gas resources, should be indisputable. This position aligns with the state's broader efforts to reclaim its continental shelf and territorial maritime area as stipulated within the Malaysian Agreement 1963.
Rejection of Indonesian Claims and Defence of Territory

The Sabah state government has consistently maintained a firm position against Indonesia's claims over the Ambalat area. In August 2023, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor affirmed that Sabah rejects Indonesia’s sovereignty claims and is committed to defending Ambalat as an integral part of Sabah and Malaysia’s territory. This unwavering commitment to safeguarding its territorial integrity underscores Sabah's concern that any joint development plan must fully respect and acknowledge its established rights and jurisdiction over the region.

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Why is Sabah questioning the Ambalat joint development plan?

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