Sebatik Border Issue: Warisan Demands Clear Explanation and Constitutional Compliance

MEDIA STATEMENT

16 April 2026

1. Recent conflicting reports from Indonesia and statements by the Sabah State Government on the Sebatik border are serious and raise fundamental questions that must be answered.
2. Indonesian officials have publicly cited specific figures including 127.3 hectares allegedly within their territory. In contrast, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has denied any such transfer while offering no details.
3. We are hearing increasingly specific statements from authoritative figures in Jakarta, including precise figures, yet there has been no equally clear, detailed or categorical response from our own side.
4. Sabahans are entitled to know what exactly has been discussed, what has been agreed and whether any position has already been taken on their behalf.
5. I raised this matter at the last Parliamentary sitting because it involves sovereignty, territorial integrity and Sabah’s constitutional rights.
6. Article 2(b) of the Federal Constitution, read together with its proviso, requires that any law altering State boundaries must obtain the consent of the State Legislature concerned and the Conference of Rulers. This is a constitutional obligation and any action that bypasses this process would raise serious constitutional implications.
7. Discussions and negotiations between countries are normal but they do not constitute an agreement. Any decision affecting Sabah’s territory must be brought before the Sabah State Legislative Assembly (DUN) and comply fully with constitutional requirements.
8. As far as is publicly known, this matter has neither been presented nor debated in the Sabah DUN.
9. Sabahans cannot be expected to rely on fragments of information while another country speaks in specifics. This is not how matters of sovereignty should be handled.
10. The Sabah State Government must take a clear and firm position because keeping silent will only deepen public doubt.
11. Therefore, I call for this matter to be urgently tabled and fully debated at the upcoming Sabah State Legislative Assembly sitting on 27 April 2026.
12. The people deserve clarity. The Assembly must be consulted and the Constitution must be upheld without exception.

END

DATUK SERI PANGLIMA MOHD SHAFIE BIN HJ APDAL

President of Warisan