The blocks are located off the coast of Tawau, Sabah, and, according to an earlier report in EnergyReview.net, the two neighbours are having the spat as both have claims in the area, which are claimed by both nations.

According to Malaysia’s Internal Security and Public Order Director Datuk Seri Salleh Mat Som, “The ND6 and ND7 blocks are in Malaysia waters and marine police are responsible for keeping encroaching foreign boats off the area.”

“We have to make sure our security is guaranteed and that there are no foreign boats encroaching in the area,” added Salleh.

In related news, the Parliamentary Secretary to Malaysia’ Foreign Ministry, Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman, has stated his country’s claim over the area.

In a statement Zainal said, “The so-called overlapping claims by Indonesia are within Malaysia’s territorial sea and continental shelf consistent with the Convention of the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone 1958, the Convention on the Continental Shelf 1958 and Customary Law Principles.”