Ambalat

Ambalat is a maritime territory located in the Celebes Sea, or Sulawesi Sea, situated off the east coast of Borneo, near the border between Malaysia and Indonesia. It is the subject of an ongoing territorial dispute between the two countries. The dispute primarily concerns the sovereignty over two small, uninhabited islands, Sipadan and Ligitan, and the maritime area surrounding them, which includes potential oil and gas reserves.

The core of the disagreement stems from conflicting interpretations of historical maps and treaties, specifically those drawn during the colonial era when Borneo was divided between British and Dutch possessions. Malaysia bases its claim largely on the principle of effective occupation, arguing that it has historically exercised control over the area, while Indonesia bases its claim on its extended continental shelf and proximity.

In 2002, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in favor of Malaysia regarding the sovereignty of Sipadan and Ligitan islands. However, this ruling did not definitively resolve the dispute over the larger Ambalat block, which remains a point of contention.

Both countries have conducted naval patrols in the area, and there have been occasional tense encounters between their respective navies and coast guards. Diplomatic efforts to resolve the dispute through negotiation and mediation have been ongoing, but a lasting resolution has yet to be achieved. The Ambalat issue continues to be a sensitive and important aspect of Indonesian-Malaysian relations.