SIPADAN AND LIGITAN ISLAND DISPUTE: VICTORY GAINED BY MALAYSIA AGAINST INDONESIA IN THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE IN THE PRINCIPLE OF EFFECTIVITE (2002)

Abstract

The dispute between The Republic of Indonesia with The Republic of Malaysia for the Islands of Sipadan and Ligitan is one of the key cases that defined how territorial dispute settlements is studied in the world of International Relations. This research analyzes the decision by the International Court of Justice in determining the dispute for the Sipadan and Ligitan Islands. After all the key arguments brought by both states, the International Court of Justice decided the ruling to favor Malaysia by the principle of effectivite. This thesis will elaborate how Malaysia's effectivite was the key to the decision. In addition, this thesis will analyze the interest of Malaysia to dispute the ownership of the islands, based on neorealism. This research was conducted from September of 2017 until March of 2018. The research process was conducted by the qualitative analysis, supported by sources from books, journals, and news articles.