MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT’S STRATEGIES TO WIN OVER SIPADAN AND LIGITAN ISLANDS DISPUTE FROM INDONESIA THROUGH INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE (1997-2002) SUBMITTED AS A PART FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE ATTAINMENT OF THE DEGREE OF SARJANA ILMU POLITIK (S.IP) OR BACHELOR OF POLITICAL SCIENC

Conflict is a universal feature of human beings. It takes its origins in economic different, social change, cultural formation, psychological development and political organization—all of which are inherently conflictual and becomes over through formation of conflict parties, which come to have, or are perceived to have, mutually incompatible goals. An example of conflict happened between neighboring states—Malaysia versus Indonesia. The beginning of the case that began in 1968, when Malaysia reacted to the cooperation agreement between Indonesia and Japex (Japan Exploration Company Limited) in 1966. in order to solve the dispute, in May 31, 1997, Indonesia and Malaysia agreed to ratify Special Agreement for the Submission to the International Court of Justice the Dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia Concerning the Sovereignty over Sipadan and Ligitan islands. In order to win over the Sipadan and Ligitan Islands, Malaysia agree to bring this case to ICJ and employed effective occupation as their strategy. Malaysia agree to bring this case to ICJ because through ICJ Malaysia could employ the effective occupation as their strategy. However, Malaysia already prepared well all the matters supported to this case. The effective occupation maximized their outcome because of the proof of factual elements as their solid proof that they were the legal owner of the disputed islands. Malaysia built such as lighthouse, and resort in those islands as their means to win the islands. In December 17, 2002, ICJ decided that Malaysia is the original owner of Sipadan and Ligitan islands. Malaysia won with effective occupation strategy.

Keywords: Sipadan and Ligitan islands dispute, Strategy, ICJ, Effective Occupation