Pertamina is planning to offer oil exploration concessions in the blocks but Malaysia claims the blocks are within its continental shelf.

“Malaysia will continue to protest against Indonesia’s efforts to claim and develop two oil and gas blocks off the east coast of Sabah,” Syed Hamid said.

“The government would prefer to talk things out with Indonesia to settle the overlapping territorial claims. As Malaysia is also claimant to Blocks ND6 and ND7, concessions for exploiting the area cannot be awarded by Indonesia to any company until the matter is settled. We hope there will be more discussions with Indonesia, rather than for the matter to go through legal proceedings.”

The minister said the government has yet to receive any reply to its letter of protest to its Indonesian counterparts.