Sipadan, Ligitan dispute continues<\/p>\n
By Alfitra Salamm<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A quarter century has passed, but there is still
\nno light at the end of the tunnel as far as the conflict over the
\nSipadan and Ligitan islands is concerned. So far, the definitive
\nowner of these two islands has yet to be negotiated. What is
\nobvious is that the working groups from the two disputing
\ncountries, Malaysia and Indonesia, have sat together for the
\nthird time with no significant result.<\/p>\n
The Langkawi meeting between President Soeharto and Prime
\nMinister Mahathir Mohamad on July 17, 1993, had talks over the
\ndispute on the Sipadan island on its agenda. But, apparently, the
\nsummit as well as the working group meetings only served the
\npurpose of keeping the tension under control rather than finding
\nthe real solution.<\/p>\n
The confrontation between Indonesia and Malaysia (1963-1966)
\nhas taught a hard lesson, and it is regarded as a joint sin that
\nshould never be repeated. This bitter past always haunted both
\nthe Malaysian and Indonesian peoples in the years after the end
\nof the confrontation up to the early 1980s, and therefore they
\nalways called on the brotherhood spirit to find the solution to
\nwhatever problems that might come up between them.<\/p>\n
The dispute on the Sipadan and Ligitan islands, which started
\nin 1969 as the two countries were in the process of determining
\ntheir continental shelf boundaries, was settled by resorting to a
\nstatus quo. The status quo was considered the best option at that
\ntime.<\/p>\n
Malaysia's shift from semangat serumpun (the brotherhood
\nspirit) to a more rational relationship, that started in 1980s,
\nhas brought about a change in the relationship between this
\ncountry and Indonesia. This change appears to have complicated
\nthe efforts of finding satisfactory solutions to problems that
\narise between the two neighbors.<\/p>\n
The situation is even more complex when it comes to Sipadan
\nand Ligitan, as it clearly embodies a competition for sea
\nresources and the strategic location of the two islands. However,
\nsince the trauma of the confrontation still trails the two
\npeoples, it is hard to imagine the outbreak of a 'civil war' that
\nsome people in the Indonesian House of Representatives have
\nworried about. The determination to settle the dispute through
\ndiplomatic efforts is evident in the agreement between the
\nIndonesian and Malaysian governments to avoid the use of arms.
\nThis agreement was signed two years ago.<\/p>\n
At present, there is an indication that Malaysia has chosen a
\nless accommodating stance in the effort of finding a solution. In
\nthe eye of the Indonesian government, by deciding to allow
\ntourism activities on the Sipadan island, Malaysia tends to
\ndisregard the agreement to maintain the status quo. Furthermore,
\nlast year's maneuver drills involving combined troops of Malaysia
\n-- with a scenario that included recouping an island -- could be
\nseen as a psychological warfare against Indonesia.<\/p>\n
In seeking an end to the dispute, the two countries have
\nalways shied away from any third-party intervention. One reason
\nfor this is the lack of strong evidence that could be used in
\ntheir argumentation.<\/p>\n
Therefore, Malaysia's initiative of suggesting to bring the
\ncase before the International Court in The Hague, the
\nNetherlands, is perhaps not the best option. If Malaysia
\ncontinues to press on with this suggestion, it may be viewed as a
\ndisregard of the existence of the Association of South East Asian
\nNations (ASEAN).<\/p>\n
Until today, ASEAN member countries have never requested the
\nhelp of the ASEAN High Council in settling their conflicts. The
\nSipadan and Ligitan dispute is actually a very good opportunity
\nfor both Malaysia and Indonesia to establish the credibility of
\nASEAN further by letting this organization assist them in finding
\nthe solution.<\/p>\n
The best solution is, of course, one that comes out of
\nbilateral negotiation. If a bilateral agreement were to be
\nsought, one possible alternative would be to establish joint
\noperations on the two islands based on common economic, defense
\nand security interests.<\/p>\n
At any rate, a solution should be reached as soon as possible
\n-- rather than letting it become a thorn in the side of the
\nrelationship between Malaysia and Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The writer is a researcher at the Indonesian Institute of
\nSciences and an official of the Insan Politika Foundation in
\nJakarta.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sipadan-ligitan-dispute-continues-1447893297",
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