KOTA KINABALU: The government should promptly declassify the maritime boundary agreement related to the Ambalat block in the Sulawesi Sea.
Sabah Perikatan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee said declassifying the contents of the agreement will address the question whether the Sulawesi Sea Treaty has involved the Ambalat block.
"By doing so, it will also dispel speculations and concerns of citizens regarding the semi-sea border areas between the two nations in the Sulawesi Sea, as stated by the government.
"Taking swift action to declassify the contents of this agreement will provide the public with transparency on the Ambalat issue and alleviate doubts and concerns among Malaysians, particularly among the people of Sabah," said the Beluran member of parliament in a statement.
The Ambalat block, a 15,000 square kilometre area in the midst of the territorial dispute off the coast of Sabah, holds the world's largest crude oil reserves and has been defended by Malaysia for a long time.
The agreement was signed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on June 8 during the official visit of Indonesian President Joko Widodo to Malaysia.
Ronald also said that maritime experts engaged in safeguarding Malaysia's territorial rights have warned Putrajaya not to sign any new agreements to settle the ongoing border dispute with Indonesia.
He added that there were media reports suggesting Malaysia and Indonesia would collaborate on oil and gas exploration in the Ambalat block, which was referred to by the Oil and Gas Indonesia director general Tutuka Ariadji.
"We cannot compromise or negotiate on matters of national sovereignty, particularly concerning Sabah's waters, which also involve exclusive economic zones (EEZ) and continental shelves between Malaysia and Indonesia.
"Therefore, it is imperative to unveil the contents of this agreement to prevent lingering speculation and as clear evidence that the agreement in question does not directly involve the areas referred to by Malaysia as Block ND6 and Block ND7 or Ambalat."