Yogyakarta, September 22, 2025 – The Department of International Relations, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Yogyakarta (UPNVY), successfully hosted an international guest lecture titled “The Maritime Border between Indonesia–Malaysia in the Sulawesi Sea: A Bilateral Relations Perspective”.
The event featured Professor Lecturer Dr. Kamarulnizam Abdullah, Head of the Centre for Malaysia–Indonesia Relations (iKMI), Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, as the keynote speaker. The lecture was held on Monday, September 22, 2025, at the FISIP Seminar Room, UPNVY.
In his presentation, Professor Lecturer Kamarulnizam elaborated on the complexities of the Indonesia–Malaysia maritime border in the Sulawesi Sea, addressing several key issues such as:
- The Ambalat maritime boundary dispute;
- Transnational challenges, including organized crime, human trafficking, arms smuggling, and terrorism;
- The implications of the International Court of Justice ruling on Sipadan and Ligitan Islands;
- Diplomatic efforts and cooperation frameworks, including the General Border Committee (GBC Malindo), the Joint Police Cooperation Committee (JPCC), and the recent Sulawesi Sea Treaty (June 8, 2023).
Professor Lecturer Kamarulnizam emphasized that border management is not only a matter of sovereignty but also closely linked to economic interests, regional security, and the welfare of border communities. He highlighted that sustaining border security is costly, making collaborative diplomatic strategies between Indonesia and Malaysia essential.
The lecture drew enthusiastic participation from UPNVY International Relations students, who actively engaged in discussions on Southeast Asian border dynamics and maritime security. Their involvement underscored the importance of understanding regional geopolitics as part of strengthening academic and practical insights into diplomacy.
This international guest lecture reflects UPNVY’s commitment to providing students with global perspectives and opportunities to learn directly from international scholars and practitioners.