PKN XI Bab 4 Unit 1- Sengketa Blok Ambalat

Summary

This video script discusses the territorial dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia over the Ambalat Block, an area rich in oil and gas resources. The issue began due to differing perceptions about the boundary, leading to diplomatic tensions. The script explains the historical context, the significance of the continental shelf and exclusive economic zones, and the agreements that followed. It highlights Indonesia's stance, supported by international law, and the ongoing efforts for peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy. The aim is to avoid further conflict while upholding national sovereignty.

Takeaways

• 😀 The topic of the lesson is the territorial dispute over the Ambalat Block between Indonesia and Malaysia, focusing on three main points: the dispute itself, peaceful conflict resolution methods, and the historical background.
• 😀 The Ambalat Block is a maritime area of 15,235.5 km² in the Sulawesi Sea, rich in oil and gas resources, which has made it the center of the territorial dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia.
• 😀 The dispute began due to differing perceptions about the position of the Ambalat Block when both countries conducted research on the continental shelf and exclusive economic zones.
• 😀 The continental shelf refers to the seabed and subsoil beyond territorial waters, up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline, while the exclusive economic zone is an area outside of a nation's territorial waters but within its maritime boundary.
• 😀 A key historical event in the dispute was the 1969 agreement on the continental shelf boundary, which initially recognized the Ambalat Block as part of Indonesia’s territory.
• 😀 Tensions escalated in 1979 when Malaysia included the Ambalat Block in its maritime map, leading to strong protests from Indonesia in 1980.
• 😀 Diplomatic efforts have been made to resolve the dispute, with a notable dialogue between Indonesian President SBY and Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in 2009.
• 😀 Both countries presented their legal arguments based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), where Indonesia is recognized as an archipelagic state with rights to its outermost islands.
• 😀 Malaysia is considered a regular coastal state under UNCLOS, which benefits Indonesia in the territorial claim over the Ambalat Block.
• 😀 The dispute remains a sensitive issue in the bilateral relations between Indonesia and Malaysia, with Indonesia continuing to assert its claim over the Ambalat Block without escalating the issue to international courts.
• 😀 The peaceful resolution of territorial disputes, particularly through dialogue and diplomacy, remains a priority to avoid further conflicts and potential violence.

Q & A

What is the Ambalat Block and why is it significant in the territorial dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia?

The Ambalat Block is a maritime area in the Sulawesi Sea, covering 15,235.5 km². It is significant because it contains valuable oil and gas resources, which both Indonesia and Malaysia claim as part of their territorial waters, leading to a longstanding dispute between the two nations.

What are the two main learning objectives of this lesson on the Ambalat dispute?

The first objective is to enable students to explain and analyze the territorial dispute over the Ambalat Block between Indonesia and Malaysia. The second objective is for students to simulate peaceful dispute resolution methods employed by both countries through Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) and international legal frameworks.

What is the legal framework used by both Indonesia and Malaysia to support their claims over the Ambalat Block?

Both countries rely on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which provides the legal basis for maritime territorial claims. UNCLOS allows Indonesia to claim the Ambalat Block based on its archipelagic status, while Malaysia, as a coastal state, has a different perspective.

How did the disagreement over the Ambalat Block first arise?

The disagreement began when there were differing perceptions regarding the position of the Ambalat Block. This occurred during the research on the continental shelf and Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) between Indonesia and Malaysia, eventually leading to the 1969 agreement that recognized Ambalat as part of Indonesia’s territory.

What happened in 1979 that escalated the dispute over Ambalat?

In 1979, Malaysia included the Ambalat Block in its maritime map, which Indonesia viewed as a violation of its territorial sovereignty. This prompted Indonesia to formally protest the move in 1980, which further intensified the dispute.

What was the role of diplomatic dialogue in resolving the Ambalat dispute?

Diplomatic dialogue played a key role in attempting to resolve the dispute. In 2009, a dialogue took place between Indonesia's President and Malaysia's Prime Minister, during which both countries presented their legal stances based on UNCLOS. This dialogue helped clarify each country's position but did not lead to a complete resolution of the issue.

What does UNCLOS say about the claims of Indonesia and Malaysia regarding the Ambalat Block?

UNCLOS allows Indonesia, as an archipelagic state, to claim the Ambalat Block based on its right to draw baselines from its outermost islands. Malaysia, on the other hand, is considered a coastal state and has its own set of claims under UNCLOS, but the dispute remains unresolved because of differing interpretations.

What is the current status of the Ambalat dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia?

The dispute remains unresolved and continues to be a sensitive issue in the bilateral relations between Indonesia and Malaysia. Despite efforts to negotiate, Malaysia has not fully accepted Indonesia’s claim over the Ambalat Block, and the issue has not been taken to international court.

Why is the peaceful resolution of the Ambalat dispute important for both countries?

A peaceful resolution is important to prevent the conflict from escalating into military confrontation. Both countries aim to avoid violence and maintain diplomatic relations while protecting their sovereignty and economic interests, particularly the valuable resources in the Ambalat Block.

What role does the concept of 'Continental Shelf' play in the dispute over the Ambalat Block?

The concept of the Continental Shelf is crucial because it determines the area of seabed and subsoil that a country has sovereign rights over, beyond its territorial waters. The dispute arose from differing views on where the boundary of the continental shelf lies in relation to the Ambalat Block, which affects both countries' territorial claims.