Anwar denied the opposition’s claim that 5,207ha of land had already been handed over to Indonesia as compensation for three villages near Nunukan, close to the Sabah border.
He told the Dewan Rakyat that what had been agreed on so far was a government-to-government understanding after years of joint surveys, but that the “other process” had yet to run its course.
Anwar added that under this preliminary agreement, Malaysia stood to gain about 5ha at Pulau Sebatik and about 780ha in the Sinapat-Sesai area, while a larger disputed zone in the same sector had long been administered by Indonesia.
However, he said the proposed border revisions would still need to be referred to the relevant state assemblies and then the Conference of Rulers.
The prime minister said the understanding reached with Indonesia so far was still at the negotiation stage.
“The process has yet to begin. (Negotiations) aren’t even done yet. There are parts of it that haven’t been completed. There is only an understanding between both governments.
“Every matter that touches on the question of borders will be referred to the respective state assemblies,” he said.
Anwar was responding to Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Semporna), who said changes to the border could not be done only through talks between Putrajaya and Jakarta, citing Article 2 of the Federal Constitution.
The prime minister said the revision was about addressing stretches of the border that were never settled on the ground, with old maps and river points not always matching what survey teams found in the field.
He said Malaysia and Indonesia began border work in 1977 and had been dealing with it in stages, with officers from both countries sent into remote terrain to confirm border markers and river mouths.
Only parts of the Sabah-North Kalimantan border have been settled so far, while unresolved stretches remain in both Sabah and Sarawak, said Anwar.
He added that five intertidal areas in Sabah and four areas along the Sarawak-West Kalimantan border were still under negotiation.
Anwar also took a swipe at the opposition for purportedly making false claims on the issue, saying it could damage the good ties between Jakarta and Putrajaya.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul later suggested that the matter be referred to a parliamentary committee for a detailed discussion. He said the relevant parties could also be summoned as it was a highly technical matter and most MPs were likely unprepared to debate the topic.
Johari said the committee chairman could then table a report in the Dewan Rakyat, if necessary.