Indonesia and Malaysia agree on joint development of disputed Ambalat Block
“Indonesia and Malaysia have reached a mutual agreement to pursue a joint development approach to address longstanding border disputes, including the contentious Ambalat Block, a commitment made during a bilateral meeting between President Prabowo Subianto and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Friday, June 27, 2025.”
“The Ambalat Block, spanning roughly 15,235 square kilometers, lies in the Sulawesi Sea (Makassar Strait) and is rich in oil and gas reserves, making it a highly strategic and economically valuable zone for both countries. The dispute stems from overlapping maritime claims between Indonesia and Malaysia.”
“Previously, the 1979 map drew criticism not just from Indonesia, but also from countries such as the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, China, and Vietnam, all of whom regarded it as an overextension of Malaysian maritime claims.”