Govt urged to seek diplomatic solution over Ambalat<\/p>\n
Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The government has been urged to seek a diplomatic solution to
\nits territorial dispute with Malaysia, while maintaining its
\nstance that the country's possession of the disputed oil and gas-
\nrich area is non-negotiable.<\/p>\n
International relations expert Dewi Fortuna Anwar said the
\nissue had to be resolved through diplomatic channels to prevent
\narmed conflict, but underlined that the diplomacy should be
\nbacked up by military reinforcement and possession efforts.<\/p>\n
\"Diplomatic efforts are the priority, but the government
\nmustn't be too focused on papers and documents. Military
\nreinforcement is a good sign that Indonesia doesn't hesitate to
\ntake stern measures and it's very important to let them know that
\nthey can't just walk all over us,\" she said on Monday.<\/p>\n
Dewi said the government could even use the current anti-
\nMalaysia sentiment here as a tool to strengthen its bargaining
\npower during talks with Malaysia.<\/p>\n
\"Another measure is to develop the area in a bid to provide
\nstronger proof of our possession of it. Continuing the stalled
\nconstruction of a lighthouse there is a good way -- of course
\nwith the Indonesian Military guarding all sides,\" she said.<\/p>\n
The calls for prioritizing a diplomatic solution came as the
\ntwo countries dispatched their own warships and war planes to the
\narea, and amid reports at home quoting some politicians as
\nsuggesting the government opt for armed conflict.<\/p>\n
Claims by Indonesia and Malaysia to the Ambalat area in the
\nSulawesi sea, near the land border between East Kalimantan
\nprovince and Malaysia's Sabah state recently emerged after the
\nMalaysian government awarded in February an oil production
\nsharing contract to Royal Dutch Shell.<\/p>\n
Maritime law expert Hasjim Djalil concurred with Dewi, adding
\nthat the government had to be more active in asserting
\nIndonesia's claim to the territory.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia has every right to the area and the government must
\nstrive to protect those rights during the talks,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Hasjim said a few feasible options, should bilateral talks end
\nin a deadlock, included the international court, mediators, or
\nthe joint development of the area by the two countries.<\/p>\n
House of Representatives Commission I for defense and security
\naffairs said it supported diplomatic efforts with Malaysia, but
\nreminded the government to keep its sovereignty intact and that
\nstern measures against violations by any country should be
\ncarried out unflinchingly.<\/p>\n
\"We endorse efforts to protect the area by dispatching jets
\nand warships to show our interest in law enforcement. And if
\n(Malaysia) refuses to abide by it, we'll even consider military
\naction,\" commission chairman Theo L. Sambuaga said.<\/p>\n
The commission also urged the government to recall its
\nambassador to Malaysia for an indefinite period of time as an
\nexpression of disappointment with Malaysia's unilateral claim and
\nintrusions of Indonesian airspace in the area.<\/p>\n
Malaysia claims the area is part of its territory based on a
\n1979 map, which Indonesia has said is not acknowledged by most
\nother Southeast Asian countries.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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