Sipadan and Ligitan problem of territorial integrity

Sipadan and Ligitan problem of territorial integrity

As Indonesia is made up of 17,508 islands, the islands of
Sipadan and Ligitan, whose claim of ownership is being heard at
the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Holland, are
insignificant in terms of number.

However, when it is a matter of sovereignty, every country
claims it will defend every inch of its territory. That is why
even though Sipadan and Ligitan are only two tiny islands, we
have demonstrated our steadfast struggle for them, particularly
because our claim over them overlaps with Malaysia's.

Now the dispute has been left to the International Court of
Justice after the failure of two sides to settle it by
themselves.

We believe the International Court of Justice will thoroughly
settle this overlapping claim in the fairest manner possible.
Later when the International Court of Justice has decided which
party is the legitimate owner of these two islands, the other
party must accept this decision magnanimously.

We are not alone in facing these matters because Malaysia and
the Philippines are still at loggerheads over Sabah. Malaysia and
Singapore are involved in a dispute over Batu Putih, an island
which Singapore calls Pedra Branca. Malaysia also lays claim to
the Spratleys, a group of islands also claimed by five other
countries.

In the case of Sipadan and Ligitan, both Indonesia and
Malaysia have resorted to a wise and mature solution by leaving
the dispute to be settled by the International Court of Justice.

Another lesson that we should learn from the Sipadan and
Ligitan case is that as we illustrate our serious attitude toward
a problem about two small islands, then it is the same attitude
that we must adopt toward our other islands or territory. -

-- Kompas, Jakarta