When it comes to Southeast Asia’s most sensitive territorial tangle, the Sabah dispute, there’s one major player that’s often quiet, but powerful: Indonesia. And that silence? It speaks volumes. Many Filipinos still believe the Sabah claim is unfinished business, rooted in the 1878 agreement between the Sultanate of Sulu and the British. The Philippines argues it was a lease. Malaysia insists it was a cession. Today, Sabah is a Malaysian state, and Kuala Lumpur sees the matter as settled, closed, signed, and sealed through the 1963 act of self-determination when Sabahans voted to join Malaysia. But what happens when the third-largest country in the world’s biggest archipelago, a nation of 280 million people, is watching from the sidelines?
Indonesia’s official stance is neutrality. As a founding member of ASEAN, Jakarta proudly champions non-interference in its neighbors’ internal matters. But neutrality doesn’t mean not caring. In truth, Indonesia’s interests lie in preserving the status quo. Why? Because Indonesia and Malaysia share more than just a border, they share cultural roots, deep economic ties, and regional security responsibilities. In 2024, trade between the two nations surpassed $24 billion USD. They coordinate anti-terrorism efforts in maritime zones, especially in the Sulu Sea, and frequently align on major ASEAN policies. Indonesia values Malaysia as a strategic ally, and disturbing that balance over an old territorial claim? That’s not in Jakarta’s playbook.
Still, what about the Philippines? Indonesia and the Philippines have a warm and cooperative relationship, from joint patrols to economic partnerships. But when it comes to Sabah, Indonesia draws a firm line: this is a bilateral issue, one for Manila and Kuala Lumpur to resolve peacefully. Jakarta has never officially backed the Philippines’ claim and avoids any statement that could be read as taking sides. To do otherwise risks opening a Pandora’s box of dormant border issues, not just for Indonesia, but across ASEAN. It’s not just political caution, it’s strategic preservation.
And let’s not ignore the real-world spark. In mid-2024, when a Filipino presidential hopeful brought up Sabah in a campaign speech, tensions reignited online. Meanwhile, Malaysia reaffirmed its stance through court rulings, stating that annual payments to the heirs of the Sulu Sultanate were never an admission of ownership. And Indonesia? It released a calm, diplomatic statement supporting “bilateral resolution and peaceful dialogue.” That’s it. No drama, no sides taken, just a consistent reminder: “We’re staying out of this, but keep it peaceful.”
So, will Indonesia ever back the Philippines in this dispute? The answer, realistically, is no. Not because Jakarta dislikes the Philippines, but because the cost of choosing sides far outweighs any historical empathy. Indonesia sees itself as ASEAN’s stabilizer, a country that values harmony, not headlines. Their silence isn’t passive; it’s calculated. And behind that calculated calm is a quiet preference: keep Sabah where it is, keep peace in the region, and don’t let history disrupt modern alliances.
To Filipino viewers and readers: this might feel like a cold reality, but it’s how geopolitics often works. Sentiment matters less than stability. Indonesia’s loyalty is to regional unity, and its message to both claimants is crystal clear: resolve it peacefully, and don’t drag others into the storm. The Sabah issue is far from forgotten, but for now, Indonesia’s stand is firm, quiet, and unmistakably neutral, with a wink toward the status quo.
Indonesia and the Philippines: Brothers by History, Bound by Strategy — But Divided by Diplomacy?
Did you know that centuries before colonial borders, Indonesia and the Philippines were part of the same ancient maritime world? Long before maps were drawn by Europeans, the ancestors of modern Filipinos and Indonesians sailed the same waters, spoke related tongues, and traded goods, culture, and even royal influence. From the 900 CE Laguna Copperplate Inscription, which mentions Javanese nobles, to the 14th-century Nagarakretagama, where the powerful Majapahit Empire listed areas in the southern Philippines as within its reach, these two nations have always shared more than just geography. It’s not just proximity, it’s bloodline, language, and soul.
Fast forward to the age of colonialism, when the Philippines fell under Spanish rule and Indonesia under Dutch control. Though colonized by different empires, both peoples bore the weight of foreign domination for centuries, developing a shared narrative of resistance, struggle, and the eventual birth of modern nations. After independence, the bond was made official in 1949, and cemented even further in 1967, when both countries became founding members of ASEAN, the regional bloc meant to prevent wars and foster cooperation. As the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs put it: “The two countries enjoy a cordial bilateral relationship in the spirit of kinship.” And truly, for most of history, they have.
Today, that kinship lives on, especially in the fight against regional threats. Security cooperation is tight. In areas like the Sulu-Sulawesi Seas, where piracy, terrorism, and smuggling used to run rampant, the Philippines and Indonesia work hand-in-hand. Joint maritime patrols, intelligence-sharing, and counter-terrorism efforts are all part of a shared mission: to keep Southeast Asia safe and stable. That’s not just neighborly, that’s brotherhood in action. When bombs went off in Mindanao or threats loomed near Kalimantan, both countries responded with solidarity, not silence.
On the economic front, there’s progress too. Through BIMP-EAGA, the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area, both nations are turning border zones from conflict-prone areas into hubs of opportunity. The goal? Economic inclusion, connectivity, and sustainable development, especially for the historically underserved regions in Mindanao, Sulawesi, and Borneo. It’s not flashy, but it’s transformational, building peace through prosperity.
And let’s not forget the human dimension. There are Filipino communities in Indonesia, and Indonesian citizens living in the Philippines. While the flow of Indonesian workers to the Philippines is relatively small compared to the tens of thousands who migrate to Malaysia, the people-to-people links remain steady and friendly. Education exchanges, cultural programs, and interfaith dialogues all help to strengthen that “Malay kinship” many still feel beneath the layers of modern statehood.
But here’s where things get delicate and maybe even a little uncomfortable. Despite all the brotherhood, all the shared ancestry and strategic alignment, Indonesia has never publicly supported the Philippines’ claim over Sabah. Not during Sukarno’s era, not during ASEAN summits, not even when tensions spiked. Yes, during the 1960s, Sukarno flirted with the idea of a united “Malay world,” and sympathized with anti-colonial movements, including the Philippines’ claim. But sympathy was where it ended. Since then, Indonesia has firmly respected Malaysia’s sovereignty, and avoids stirring any pot that could undermine regional unity.
This silence is strategic. Indonesia sees itself as a regional stabilizer, not a kingmaker. It values good relations with both nations, but in the real world of diplomacy, keeping peace means avoiding endorsement. For Jakarta, the Sabah issue is not a place to take sides, it’s a tightrope of trust, and Indonesia has chosen to walk it with caution, not confrontation.
So while Indonesia and the Philippines share a deep-rooted past and a strong present, when it comes to Sabah, don’t expect Jakarta to raise a flag. Its loyalty lies in regional calm, mutual respect, and strategic neutrality. Because sometimes, in diplomacy, the loudest message is the one left unsaid.
Why Indonesia Stays Neutral on Sabah: It’s Not Just About Politics — It’s About Principles, Peace, and People
Indonesia’s silence in the Sabah dispute isn’t passive, it’s strategic, rooted in a powerful regional philosophy: non-interference. As one of ASEAN’s founding fathers and its de facto moral compass, Indonesia holds tightly to this principle, not just out of formality, but out of survival. As E-International Relations notes, “The principle of non-interference is one of the core foundations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and perhaps its most controversial aspect.” Why controversial? Because it often means turning down the volume when tensions rise, even among friends. For Jakarta, the risk of choosing sides between the Philippines and Malaysia isn’t worth the regional fallout. A public endorsement of either claim could blow up into a regional rift, and Indonesia’s leadership role in ASEAN is built on unity, not division.
Stability is the name of the game. Indonesia understands that territorial disputes are like dry grass, one spark, and the whole neighborhood catches fire. By refusing to take sides, Jakarta is not dodging responsibility, it’s preventing escalation. This is especially important in a region like Southeast Asia, where historical grievances are layered, and national pride runs deep. Choosing neutrality allows Indonesia to remain a trusted mediator, not a suspicious player. And let’s be real, it also protects Indonesia’s economic interests. Both Malaysia and the Philippines are important trading partners. Indonesia can’t afford to risk either relationship. In 2023, Indonesia’s trade with Malaysia alone surpassed $24 billion USD, and economic corridors with the Philippines continue to grow, especially under the BIMP-EAGA initiative.
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But economics isn’t just about numbers, it’s also about people. In Sabah, tens of thousands of Indonesian migrant workers live and work, many undocumented, many raising children far from home. Their welfare is a direct concern for Jakarta. Any diplomatic strain with Malaysia could jeopardize the lives of these workers and the efforts to give their children access to basic education and healthcare. That’s why, just recently in July 2025, Indonesia and Malaysia signed a new deal to create more Community Learning Centers in Sabah and Sarawak, clear proof that cooperation, not confrontation, is Jakarta’s chosen path.
Then there’s the ghost of the past. Indonesia has been there, done that, and paid the price. During the 1960s, Sukarno’s aggressive stance against Malaysia’s formation, especially the inclusion of Sabah and Sarawak, led to the Konfrontasi, a dark period of military clashes and diplomatic breakdowns. The lesson? Confrontation isolates, dialogue unites. In 1966, Indonesia formally recognized Malaysia, including Sabah as part of it. That wasn’t just a political move, it was a full pivot in Jakarta’s foreign policy toward diplomacy over disruption. That lesson still guides its approach today.
And perhaps most critically: Indonesia has no horse in this race. It doesn’t claim Sabah. It has no territorial ambitions there. This makes neutrality easier and more credible. Jakarta isn’t stuck between principle and personal gain, it can lean fully into being a peaceful observer, a facilitator of calm, and a model of ASEAN’s long-standing approach to conflict: quiet, steady, and principled.
In short, Indonesia’s stance on Sabah isn’t about avoiding the issue, it’s about protecting the region, its people, and its place as a stabilizing force. It’s about choosing peace, because it remembers what war costs. And it’s about walking the talk of ASEAN unity, even when the pressure mounts to pick a side.
Conclusion: Indonesia’s Quiet Choice — Neutral in Words, Aligned in Action
In the end, Indonesia will stay exactly where it’s been, officially neutral, but practically leaning toward Malaysia. It won’t wave a flag or make a bold statement, but behind closed doors and on the ground in Sabah, the signals are clear. Jakarta will keep urging both the Philippines and Malaysia to settle their differences peacefully, through diplomacy, dialogue, and respect for international law. That’s the ASEAN way, and Indonesia isn’t just following it, it’s leading it.
But neutrality doesn’t mean indifference. The deep-rooted serumpun ties with Malaysia, the economic interdependence, the tens of thousands of Indonesian migrant workers living in Sabah, and Jakarta’s historic recognition of Malaysia’s formation after the Konfrontasi era, all of it quietly reinforces the status quo: Sabah, as part of Malaysia. Indonesia may not say it outright, but its actions speak volumes.
At the heart of it all is Indonesia’s bigger mission, to keep the region stable, united, and peaceful. In a world where borders are still flashpoints and history can easily be weaponized, Indonesia’s choice to stabilize, not sensationalize, is deliberate. It knows that one wrong move could ignite regional discord, and as ASEAN’s anchor, it won’t risk that.
So, while the debate over Sabah may continue in political halls and courtrooms, don’t expect Jakarta to be drawn into the fire. Its loyalty lies not in picking sides, but in protecting the peace, because in Southeast Asia, peace is the real power play.
