Claimed by Malaysia, This is the Extent of the Riau Islands Territory

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad made a controversial statement. Mahathir urged Malaysia to claim Singapore and the Riau Islands.

At the Malay Survival Congress in Selangor State on Sunday (19/6/2022), Mahathir said it was not enough for Malaysia to consider the victory over the Sipadan and Ligitan Island dispute off the coast of Kalimantan against Indonesia at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) a win.

"We shouldn't just ask for Pedra Branca (which is now a Singaporean territory) to be returned, or Batu Puteh Island, we should also ask for Singapore and the Riau Islands, considering they are part of Tanah Melayu (Malaysia)," said Mahathir as reported by *Katadata* on Wednesday (22/6/2022).

The claim by the senior Malaysian politician is based on history during the era of the Malacca Sultanate around 1400 AD. During its heyday, the sultanate's territory covered the peninsula to the East Coast of Sumatra, which is now the Riau Islands.

The Riau Islands are currently one of the provinces of Indonesia, geographically located between 00°29? South Latitude and 04°40? North Latitude, and between 103°22? East Longitude and 109°4? East Longitude.

The Riau Islands province consists of 5 regencies and 2 cities with an area of 8,200 square kilometers (km). The seven regions are:

1. Lingga: 2,266.77 sq km
2. Natuna: 2,009.04 sq km
3. Bintan: 1,318.21 sq km
4. Batam City: 960.25 sq km
5. Karimun: 912.75 sq km
6. Anambas Islands: 590.14 sq km
7. Tanjung Pinang City: 144.56 sq km