Latest news with #13thAnnualConsultation
The Star
3 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Leaders set on resolving border issues, boosting ties
Strategic partnerships: Anwar and Prabowo walking together ahead of their bilateral meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta. — AFP JAKARTA: Malaysia and Indonesia reached several important agreements at the 13th Annual Consultation, including border issues, economic cooperation and the implementation of new energy projects, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister said among the main achievements of the talks were the signing of four memoranda of understanding covering border issues including Pulau Sebatik, health, information and communication and Internet governance. 'We touched on important issues including a US$30bil (RM127bil) bilateral trade target, investment cooperation in Ibu Kota Nusantara and smoother cross-border access facilities in Entikong,' he said at a press conference after the talks. The Prime Minister was in Indonesia for a two-day working visit in conjunction with the 13th Malaysia-Indonesia Annual Leaders' Consultation. Earlier, he was received by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the Merdeka Palace, after which the two leaders held a bilateral meeting to discuss various issues of mutual concern. Anwar said Malaysia's investments in strategic sectors in Indonesia were based on the spirit to strengthen regional prosperity. Malaysia's aim, he said, was to be an honest and trustworthy development partner in various fields, including renewable energy with Sarawak as an export hub for infrastructure, housing, education and technology. On the issue of maritime boundaries in the Sulawesi Sea, the Prime Minister said discussions were held based on international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, as well as the interests of both countries, Bernama reported. 'Our spirit is to safeguard each other's interests while respecting the boundaries established in accordance with international law. We will continue with that spirit so that there is no tension.' He said Malaysia and Indonesia also agreed to boost cooperation through the Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement framework to maintain peace in the Sulu Sea and Sulawesi Sea. At a dialogue session with the Association of Malaysian-Indonesian Journalists earlier, the Prime Minister said Malaysia has never adopted an aggressive stance in addressing maritime border issues with Indonesia, including the long-standing dispute in the Sulawesi Sea. He said Malaysia remains committed to the legal framework and diplomatic negotiations. 'We follow the legal path. We do not take an aggressive stance. Both sides must avoid encroaching into each other's territory.' The dispute in the Sulawesi Sea involving overlapping maritime claims between East Kalimantan and southeastern Sabah has persisted since Malaysia published a map of its maritime boundaries in 1979. According to a written reply dated July 22 on the Malaysian Parliament portal, the Foreign Ministry said that the ND6 and ND7 oil exploration blocks in the Sulawesi Sea fall within Malaysian sovereign territory under international law. The ministry said Malaysia's stance was based on international legal principles, including the 2002 ruling by the International Court of Justice over nearby territorial disputes.
The Sun
10 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
ASEAN as global peace model affirmed by Malaysia and Brunei
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Brunei have voiced strong confidence in ASEAN's ability to remain a leading example of diplomacy and global peace. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim highlighted this during a phone discussion with Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah following his arrival at the ASEAN Secretariat Building in Jakarta. 'We touched on ASEAN as well as talking about efforts to reconcile Thailand and Cambodia, which agreed to unconditionally stop all forms of violence yesterday. 'God willing, we are confident that ASEAN will continue to be a model region in promoting diplomacy and global peace,' Anwar shared in a Facebook post. The breakthrough follows a special ASEAN meeting chaired by Anwar in Putrajaya, where Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire to de-escalate border tensions. The meeting saw the participation of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Key international stakeholders, including US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard Kagan and Chinese Ambassador Ouyang Yujing, also attended. The US co-organised the session, while China observed in support of a peaceful resolution. The longstanding border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia spans 817 kilometres, with tensions escalating since late May after clashes near Preah Vihear claimed a Cambodian soldier's life. Renewed skirmishes on July 24 further strained relations before the ceasefire agreement. Anwar later proceeded to Jakarta for the 13th Annual Consultation with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. – Bernama
New Straits Times
11 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia, Indonesia reaffirm commitment to resolving Sulawesi Sea boundary issue
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Indonesia have reaffirmed their determination to conclude the boundary issue at the intertidal area and the gap from the low water line to Point M in the Sulawesi Sea. In a joint statement of the 13th Annual Consultation between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, both leaders welcomed the continued progress in the negotiations of the maritime boundary delimitation under the mechanism of the Technical Meeting on Maritime Boundaries Delimitation between the two countries. "We reiterated the importance of maintaining constructive engagement and close coordination between the relevant agencies of both countries to ensure steady progress in the maritime boundary delimitation process. "We underlined the need for continued goodwill and shared understanding to address any outstanding matters, moving towards mutually beneficial solutions for both countries." Both Anwar and Prabowo said Malaysia and Indonesia must take concerted steps to sustain the positive momentum and to find a mutually acceptable solution and to work towards finding common ground as a breakthrough in resolving the maritime boundary delimitation between the two countries. "We were satisfied with the positive progress made on the issue of land demarcation, particularly the signing of the MoUs on the Demarcation and Survey of the International Boundary for Outstanding Boundary Problem (OBP) during the 45th Meeting of the Joint Indonesia-Malaysia Boundary Committee (JIM-45) in Jakarta, Indonesia, from Feb 17 to 18. "After more than 45 years of negotiations and with the signing of these MoUs, the land border OBP in the Eastern Sector (North Kalimantan-Sabah) has been fully agreed upon by both countries. "In this regard, Malaysia is of the position that the remaining land boundary in the Eastern Sector, namely the intertidal area at the east coast of Pulau Sebatik, needs to be resolved." Moving forward, the Joint Indonesia-Malaysia Boundary Committee is tasked to continue negotiations of the OBP in the Western Sector (West Kalimantan-Sarawak)." In the statement, both leaders also welcomed the continued strengthening of bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of political cooperation, economic ties, socio-cultural exchange, and people-to-people connectivity. Meanwhile, as the major global palm oil producers and founders of the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC), Anwar and Prabowo said close cooperation between Malaysia and Indonesia is important to address the various challenges in the palm oil industry. "Both countries agreed to continue to collaborate on promoting sustainable palm oil and countering negative campaigns against palm oil." In the statement, Anwar and Prabowo acknowledged the commitment of both parties to improve the protection of basic rights, welfare, and livelihood of all Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia. "We took note of the four working group meetings that have been held since the signing of the MoU on the Employment and Protection of Indonesian Domestic Migrant Workers in Malaysia since April 1, 2022,and encouraged both sides to continue to iron out any impediments in facilitating the employment of Indonesian domestic migrant workers. "Both sides also agreed to review the MoU on Recruitment of Indonesian Workers between the Government of Malaysia and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia 2004, including by providing a mechanism to address all issues pertaining to all Indonesian migrant workers in a comprehensive manner." Both leaders also welcomed the shared desire to renew the MoU between Malaysia and Indonesian governments on Disaster Cooperation and Assistance which was signed on Dec 11, 1997. "It is hoped that constructive engagement towards the MoU's renewal can be pursued, with the updated agreement reflecting new commitments and its implementation aligned with the availability of resources." Both Anwar and Prabowo also agreed that the 14th Annual Consultation will be held in Malaysia next year, on a mutually agreed date to be communicated through diplomatic channels.
The Sun
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia and Indonesia strengthen ties with key agreements in annual talks
JAKARTA: Malaysia and Indonesia solidified their bilateral ties with several key agreements during the 13th Annual Consultation held in Jakarta. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim highlighted the signing of four memorandums of understanding (MoUs) covering border issues, health, information and communication, and internet governance. 'We touched on various important issues including a US$30 billion bilateral trade target, investment cooperation in Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN), as well as smoother cross-border access facilities in Entikong,' Anwar said at a press conference. He emphasised Malaysia's commitment to being a trustworthy partner in renewable energy, infrastructure, and technology, with Sarawak positioned as an export hub. On maritime boundaries in the Sulawesi Sea, discussions were guided by international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). 'Our spirit is to safeguard each other's interests while respecting the boundaries established in accordance with international law,' Anwar explained. Security cooperation was also a focal point, with both nations agreeing to enhance efforts under the Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement (TCA) to maintain peace in the Sulu and Sulawesi Seas. Anwar reiterated Malaysia's strategic focus on the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea, stressing that regional stability should be determined by regional players. Regarding the case of Indonesian businessman Mohd Riza Chalid, Anwar stated that Malaysia is prepared to cooperate within legal frameworks. 'We have only been informed in general terms and have not received any clear information regarding the matter,' he said. Reports indicate that Chalid, a suspect in a corruption case linked to PT Pertamina, is allegedly in Malaysia.
The Star
12 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia, Indonesia forge key agreements in 13th Annual Consultation
JAKARTA: Malaysia and Indonesia reached several important agreements in the 13th Annual Consultation held in Jakarta, including border issues, expanding economic cooperation and efforts to accelerate the implementation of new energy projects, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said that among the main achievements of the talks were the signing of four memoranda of understanding (MOUs) covering border issues, including Pulau Sebatik, as well as health, information and communication, and internet governance. "We touched on various important issues, including a US$30bil bilateral trade target, investment cooperation in Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN), as well as smoother cross-border access facilities in Entikong," he said at a press conference after the talks on Tuesday (July 29). Anwar also stressed that Malaysia's investments in strategic sectors in Indonesia were based on a genuine spirit to strengthen regional prosperity. He said Malaysia's aim was to be an honest and trustworthy development partner in various fields, including renewable energy, with Sarawak as an export hub for infrastructure, housing, education and technology. Regarding the issue of maritime boundaries in the Sulawesi Sea, Anwar stated that the discussions were conducted in accordance with international law, specifically the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as well as the interests of both countries. "Our spirit is to safeguard each other's interests while respecting the boundaries established in accordance with international law. We will continue with that spirit so that there is no tension," he explained. On the issue of security, Anwar said Malaysia and Indonesia agreed to boost cooperation through the Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement (TCA) framework to maintain peace in the Sulu Sea and Sulawesi Sea. He stressed that Malaysia's priority remains on strategic security in the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea, while reminding that the fate of this region must be determined by the region itself and not by external forces. Regarding the call by a few parties in Indonesia for Malaysia to assist in the issue involving Indonesian businessman Mohd Riza Chalid, the Prime Minister said the matter should be considered within the legal framework. "So far, we have only been informed in general terms and have not received any clear information regarding the matter. However, we are ready to provide full cooperation because Malaysia and Indonesia are friendly countries," he said. Previously, the media reported that Mohd Riza Chalid, who was named by Indonesian authorities as a suspect in a corruption case related to the management of PT Pertamina crude oil for the period 2018 to 2023, is now allegedly in Malaysia. – Bernama
