JAKARTA - Indonesia and Malaysia have adjusted boundary markers on Sebatik Island, nudging the line in several coastal stretches. The change leaves Indonesia with an additional 127.3 hectares, while about 4.9 hectares are now recorded as Malaysian territory, officials said.

Parts of three villages in Nunukan district, namely Ajikuning, Maspul and Seberang, are affected. Authorities say no village has moved, but some plots of land, plantations and buildings now fall across the border.

The National Border Management Agency said it is verifying land ownership and preparing compensation or relocation for residents. “Teamwork is essential in assessing land and community assets affected by the boundary clarification, and all activities must be properly documented,” said Nurdin, the agency’s deputy for land border management.

Government survey teams identified around 63 land plots caught by the shift, covering about 6.16 hectares once buffer zones are included. More than 1,000 planted trees and 55 buildings were recorded inside the affected areas.

The adjustment follows a joint survey carried out in 2019 and a memorandum under the 45th session of the Joint Indonesia-Malaysia Boundary Committee. Officials say 144 new border pillars were installed and 18 definitive markers now define roughly 23.97 kilometres of coastline on Sebatik. 

Sebatik has been split between Indonesia and Malaysia since colonial-era treaties and communities there routinely cross the border for markets and work. The government is currently mapping legal titles and preparing relocation or compensation where needed.

“Sebatik Island is a strategic border area that is growing and is projected to develop into a new growth center,” Nurdin added.