Border security is an essential component of Malaysia’s defence and security policy. During the COVID-19 outbreak, Malaysia’s border security management was tested with the increase of illegal entry into the country. The central argument of this paper is that, whilst Movement Control Order (MCO), or lockdown as it is more commonly known, aims to restrict movement, this limited movement was exploited for illegal entries into the country, leading to the establishment of the National Task Force (NTF), which coordinated various enforcement agencies to safeguard Malaysian territory. On this ground, this paper aims to analyse the role of the NTF in responding to increasing illegal activities amidst the pandemic. The discussion is divided into: (a) identifying illegal entries during the pandemic; (b) the impact of illegal entries to border management in Malaysia; (c) examining the roles of the NTF in responding to the illegal activities; and (d) the impact of the NTF in border security management in Malaysia. As a preliminary study, this paper only uses secondary data collection in addressing the problem statement. Keywords: National task force; COVID-19 pandemic; Illegal activities; Illegal immigrants; Border security managemen
This research paper analyses the convention underpinning delimitation of Malaysia-Indonesia maritime boundaries. The study analyses international legal frameworks and customary international law, and their application to maritime boundary disputes. The research reveals that 1982 UNCLOS provides general principles and guidelines for delimitating maritime boundaries but does not offer a definitive solution to the complex disputes between states. The research concludes that delimiting maritime boundaries between Malaysia and Indonesia requires a comprehensive and context-specific approach considering legal, historical, and equitable considerations. The study recommends that Malaysia and Indonesia engage in a constructive and cooperative dialogue based on mutual respect, good faith, and pacifistic settlement of disputes. The study also highlights the significance of supporting the rule of law and obeying international law principles in fostering regional political stability. The normative juridical method of research provides a valuable contribution to understanding the legal principles governing the delimitation of maritime boundaries. It offers practical recommendations for resolving disputes between Malaysia and Indonesia in a manner that upholds international law and promotes regional cooperation.
Malaysia has asserted sovereign rights over the ND6 and ND7 sea blocks, which partially overlap with the Ambalat and East Ambalat sea blocks. Indonesia has also asserted sovereign rights over there. This article argues the validity of Malaysia's claim over the ND6 and ND7 sea blocks by virtue of the Pulau Ligitan dan Pulau Sipadan case in which the International Court of Justice found that the 4°10' N parallel mentioned in the 1891 Convention between Great Britain and the Netherlands Defining Boundaries in Borneo terminated on the east coast of Sebatik and did not extend seawards. This article finds that Malaysia may use the Sipadan and Ligitan Islands as a basis to assert sovereign rights over the ND6 and ND7 sea blocks. The authors also highlights several other documents including a 1954 British declaration and bilateral treaties between Malaysia and Indonesia.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.