Sipadan and Ligitan issue

Sipadan and Ligitan issue

From Merdeka

I would like to comment on the letter by Mr. Suharsono H. in
Merdeka, Feb. 6, 1995, under the heading Dispute on Sipadan and
Ligitan Islands.

Mr. Suharsono forwarded an interesting proposal and fair
reasons. He proposed that a joint Indonesia-Malaysia authority be
set up, each possessing 50 percent of share, to manage the two
islands. And after 50 years of operation, the two islands should
be transferred to Indonesia.

The letter further said that if Malaysia took the case to the
International Court in The Hague, Indonesia would be highly
likely to win the case, since Indonesia has a very solid argument
on its claim.

But, in my opinion, Malaysia will reject the proposal of joint
authority over the islands as I am confident that Malaysia, too,
has the necessary documents which are strong enough to prove its
legal ownership of the two islands.

Therefore, I am of the opinion that the best way to solve the
problem is to bring the case to the International Court. Whatever
the result is would be fair and acceptable to both countries,
taking into account that the International Court is a neutral
body.

Also, a solution through the International Court would save
the integrity of ASEAN.

SEMEPUN PRAWIRA

Jakarta