Govt urged to seek diplomatic solution over Ambalat

Govt urged to seek diplomatic solution over Ambalat

Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The government has been urged to seek a diplomatic solution to
its territorial dispute with Malaysia, while maintaining its
stance that the country's possession of the disputed oil and gas-
rich area is non-negotiable.

International relations expert Dewi Fortuna Anwar said the
issue had to be resolved through diplomatic channels to prevent
armed conflict, but underlined that the diplomacy should be
backed up by military reinforcement and possession efforts.

"Diplomatic efforts are the priority, but the government
mustn't be too focused on papers and documents. Military
reinforcement is a good sign that Indonesia doesn't hesitate to
take stern measures and it's very important to let them know that
they can't just walk all over us," she said on Monday.

Dewi said the government could even use the current anti-
Malaysia sentiment here as a tool to strengthen its bargaining
power during talks with Malaysia.

"Another measure is to develop the area in a bid to provide
stronger proof of our possession of it. Continuing the stalled
construction of a lighthouse there is a good way -- of course
with the Indonesian Military guarding all sides," she said.

The calls for prioritizing a diplomatic solution came as the
two countries dispatched their own warships and war planes to the
area, and amid reports at home quoting some politicians as
suggesting the government opt for armed conflict.

Claims by Indonesia and Malaysia to the Ambalat area in the
Sulawesi sea, near the land border between East Kalimantan
province and Malaysia's Sabah state recently emerged after the
Malaysian government awarded in February an oil production
sharing contract to Royal Dutch Shell.

Maritime law expert Hasjim Djalil concurred with Dewi, adding
that the government had to be more active in asserting
Indonesia's claim to the territory.

"Indonesia has every right to the area and the government must
strive to protect those rights during the talks," he said.

Hasjim said a few feasible options, should bilateral talks end
in a deadlock, included the international court, mediators, or
the joint development of the area by the two countries.

House of Representatives Commission I for defense and security
affairs said it supported diplomatic efforts with Malaysia, but
reminded the government to keep its sovereignty intact and that
stern measures against violations by any country should be
carried out unflinchingly.

"We endorse efforts to protect the area by dispatching jets
and warships to show our interest in law enforcement. And if
(Malaysia) refuses to abide by it, we'll even consider military
action," commission chairman Theo L. Sambuaga said.

The commission also urged the government to recall its
ambassador to Malaysia for an indefinite period of time as an
expression of disappointment with Malaysia's unilateral claim and
intrusions of Indonesian airspace in the area.

Malaysia claims the area is part of its territory based on a
1979 map, which Indonesia has said is not acknowledged by most
other Southeast Asian countries.