INDONESIA RECEIVES 5,200 HECTARES OF LAND FROM MALAYSIA BY A MUTUALLY AGREED BOUNDARY SHIFT
By: Hamly Hadi
History Observer
According to the latest information as of January 2026, three villages in Lumbis Hulu District, Nunukan Regency, North Kalimantan, were transferred to Malaysia due to a boundary shift based on the Outstanding Boundary Problem (OBP) memorandum of understanding.
The following are details regarding the three villages:
Village Names:
Kabungalor Village, Lipaga Village, and Tetagas Village. Residents of these three villages will be relocated to Indonesian territory with appropriate land rights granted.
Population & Impact:
Although the BNPP (National Border Management Agency) report emphasized the shift in land area (including the loss of several hectares of Indonesian territory and the return of thousands of hectares elsewhere), specific data on the number of residents living in the three villages was not detailed in the news report. However, reports indicate that this shift has impacted a number of land certificate and village document holders.
Compensation:
The Indonesian government is committed to conducting data collection and relocation for affected residents, as well as ensuring that residents’ land rights are respected.
Cause:
This shift occurred after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Indonesia and Malaysia regarding the settlement of the OBP, under which several areas in Lumbis Hulu and Sebatik Island were agreed to be transferred to Malaysian territory.
The total area affected by the transfer to Malaysia (including these villages) was reported to be around 4.9 to 6.1 hectares in certain areas. However, under the same agreement, Indonesia also received back 5,207 hectares from Malaysia.
This means that Indonesia received 5,200 hectares of new land from Malaysia.**
Banjarmasin, January 23, 2026
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