Conflict over Ambalat

It is clear that the Ambalat Block is rich in offshore oil. That is why it has become an area of conflict between Indonesia and Malaysia.

Dutch oil company Shell had bought the rights to drill in the area from Indonesia earlier and then sold it to an Italian company. Now Indonesia and Malaysia will discuss the ownership of the block.

I would like to warn Malaysian oil company Petronas to consider the fact that we are peoples of the similar race and cultures and forget about business decisions. We were disappointed when Malaysia occupied the Sipadan and Ligitan islands. Unfortunately, the Indonesia delegation was unable to defend our ownership in the International Court -- that was probably due to our poor use of the English language.

Do not dream that you will get Ambalat in the way you got Sipadan and Ligitan. It is clear from the current situation that the Indonesian people would prefer to engage in open war rather than lose Ambalat.

PALA UTAMA, Jakarta