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