THE Dewar Rakyat has rejected a motion to debate the Prime Minister’s explanation of unresolved border issues with Indonesia, drawing sharp criticism from Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, who described the decision as a denial of parliamentary scrutiny on matters of national sovereignty.
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal submitted the motion under Standing Orders 18(1) and 18(2), aiming to allow Parliament to discuss the outcomes of the 45th Malaysia–Indonesia Joint Commission meeting, held on 18 February 2025, which addressed Outstanding Boundary Problems (OBP) between the two nations.
“The motion to debate national sovereignty regarding the new Malaysia–Indonesia border alignment, which allegedly involves the loss of approximately 5,000 hectares of land, was rejected by the Speaker of the House of Representatives,” Wan Ahmad Fayhsal said on Facebook.
He criticised the dismissal as a missed opportunity for transparency, adding, “Outside, we are shouted at and accused of not reading properly.
“As challenged by the Kota Bharu Chief Whip, open the floor first so it can be assessed whether these claims are true or not. Disclose all the content of the negotiations and agreements in Parliament. Do not just speak about not giving away even an inch of land.”
The MP also shared a letter from House Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, which stated that the issues raised had already been addressed through the Prime Minister’s prior briefing, concluding, “Accordingly, in accordance with Standing Order 18(7)(b), I reject your motion in the chamber.”
The proposed parliamentary session sought clarification on several unresolved points, including the status of roughly 5,207 hectares of OBP territory whose ownership Wan Ahmad Fayhsal claimed was ambiguous.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim previously explained that the Sungai Sinapad–Sungai Sesai OBP, encompassing 5,207 hectares, lies entirely under Indonesian administration. He added that after resurveying and re-marking two OBP areas, Malaysia had gained an additional 780 hectares, covering parts of Kampung Kabulanggalo, Kampung Lepaga, and Kampung Tetagas, now officially within Malaysian jurisdiction.
Anwar emphasised that the OBP border settlements adhered to the principles of the 1915 agreement, with the remaining 5,987 hectares remaining under Indonesian administration, underscoring the complexity and sensitivity of territorial negotiations between the neighbouring nations. - February 6, 2026
