The border between the two countries is a place full of conflict and cooperation. In Southeast Asia, Indonesia and Malaysia, with their cultural and historical ties, are no exception. The border between Malaysia and India on the west side of the Celebes sea, this little-known frontier, is a perfect example of the complexity of the border issue. This is the intersection of Tawau, the third largest city in Sabah, Malaysia, and Nunukan, the second largest city in North Kalimantan, Indonesia (North Kalimantan).
Before the arrival of the British in the late 19th century, Tawau, which was built by the sea, was a cross-section of coastal powers, and was under banner design the control of Brunei Sultanate, Sulu Sultanate and Bulungan Sultanate. influences. These coastal Islamic dynasties all have one thing in common, that is, they started out by trading with Indian, Chinese and Arab merchants.
The "Blongan Strip" on the Malaysia-India border Among them, the political center of the Blongan Dynasty (1731–1964) was located in Blongan County, present-day Northern California Province, south of Nunugan Town. At its peak, the Blongan dynasty ruled Tawau and most of the northern coast. Figure2 Photo Credit: Wu Jiahan based on Google Maps According to a map drawn by the British in 1888, the British North Borneo Chartered Company, which colonized Sabah at that time, incorporated the entire Sebatik island and Nunukan island into itself jurisdiction.