BAB 4 AKM Awal sengketa blok Ambalat

Summary

The video script discusses the territorial dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia over the Ambalat maritime block, located in the Sulawesi Sea. It outlines key historical events, starting from technical meetings in 1967, the signing of treaties, and Malaysia's controversial new maritime map in 1979. Tensions escalated with incidents involving military vessels and aircraft, including the 2005 confrontation. The dispute also involves the legal status of islands like Sipadan and Ligitan, with Malaysia asserting ownership. Despite multiple diplomatic efforts, the conflict has persisted, with both nations asserting their territorial claims over the region.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Ambalat dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia concerns a 15,235 km² maritime area located near the boundary between Sabah, Malaysia, and East Kalimantan, Indonesia.
• 😀 The Ambalat block has been a focus of exploration for underwater resources, particularly oil, though not all areas are rich in oil reserves.
• 😀 The dispute became prominent after technical meetings on maritime law between Indonesia and Malaysia in 1967.
• 😀 A boundary agreement was signed between Indonesia and Malaysia on October 27, 1969, but Malaysia's later creation of a new map caused confusion over territorial claims.
• 😀 Malaysia's new map, which included Sipadan, Ligitan, and Batu Putih islands, was rejected by both Indonesia and Singapore in 1969.
• 😀 On March 17, 1970, another maritime boundary agreement was signed between the two countries, but Malaysia's 1979 maritime map caused further tensions.
• 😀 Malaysia unilaterally claimed Ambalat as part of its maritime territory, prompting protests from Indonesia, which cited the 1969 continental boundary agreement.
• 😀 The issue escalated with the Sipadan and Ligitan islands being recognized as part of Malaysia by the International Court of Justice.
• 😀 Tensions reached a peak in 2005 when Indonesian workers were captured by the Malaysian navy, and Malaysia's defense minister denied apologizing for the incident.
• 😀 There were several naval confrontations in 2005, but due to a decision by the Indonesian military, peace was prioritized over aggressive actions in maritime disputes.
• 😀 In 2007, Malaysia's warships and patrol aircraft violated Indonesian maritime borders on several occasions, but Indonesian vessels successfully expelled them from their territory.

Q & A

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

The Ambalat block is a maritime area of 15,235 km² located in the Sulawesi Sea or the Makassar Strait, near the land boundary between Sabah (Malaysia) and East Kalimantan (Indonesia). The significance of the block lies in its potential for underwater resource exploration, particularly oil and gas, which has led to territorial disputes between Indonesia and Malaysia.

What event in 1967 led to the recognition of the Ambalat issue?

In 1967, a technical meeting was held between Indonesia and Malaysia regarding maritime law, which led to the identification of the Ambalat block as a disputed area. This meeting highlighted the differing claims of both countries over the area.

What was the outcome of the 1969 boundary agreement between Indonesia and Malaysia?

In 1969, Indonesia and Malaysia signed a boundary agreement that defined the continental shelf boundary between the two countries. However, Malaysia later introduced a new map that included disputed territories such as Sipadan and Ligitan islands, which caused confusion and protests from Indonesia and Singapore.

How did Malaysia's 1979 map affect the dispute over Ambalat?

In 1979, Malaysia unilaterally issued a new map that included the Ambalat maritime block within its territorial claim. This move was not recognized by Indonesia, which protested the claim, asserting that it violated the 1969 boundary agreement and encroached on Indonesian territory.

What was the role of the International Court of Justice in this dispute?

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) played a pivotal role in resolving the dispute over the Sipadan and Ligitan islands, which are located within the broader Ambalat region. In 2002, the ICJ ruled in favor of Malaysia, affirming its sovereignty over the two islands, which exacerbated tensions regarding the Ambalat area.

What incident in 2005 heightened tensions between Indonesia and Malaysia over Ambalat?

In 2005, tensions escalated when 17 Indonesian workers were detained by Malaysia’s naval forces, who accused them of operating illegally in the disputed Ambalat area. This incident led to diplomatic protests and a series of confrontations between the two countries' military forces.

How did the Malaysian Defense Minister respond to the 2005 Kompas newspaper report?

The Malaysian Defense Minister denied any wrongdoing and stated that Malaysia had no reason to apologize, as the area in question was part of Malaysia’s claimed territory. He also threatened legal action against the Kompas newspaper for spreading misinformation.

What was the nature of the military standoff between Indonesia and Malaysia in 2005?

In 2005, a series of naval confrontations occurred, including a standoff where Indonesia’s KRI Tedong Naga ship sprayed water at a Malaysian vessel. These incidents did not escalate into gunfire, as a peace protocol was in place, requiring Indonesia's Navy to refrain from firing unless provoked.

What specific incidents occurred in 2007 that further intensified the dispute over Ambalat?

In 2007, several incidents occurred where Malaysian warships entered Indonesia’s territorial waters. On multiple occasions in February, Malaysian vessels and aircraft were intercepted by Indonesian ships, which resulted in the Malaysian vessels being expelled from Indonesian waters.

What actions did Indonesia take in response to Malaysia’s repeated boundary violations in 2007?

Indonesia responded to Malaysia's repeated boundary violations by sending naval ships, such as the KRI Welang and KRI Untung Suropati, to expel the Malaysian vessels from Indonesian waters. These actions were part of Indonesia’s firm stance on protecting its maritime borders.