The impact of delimitation and demarcation of interstate borders after the colonial era in Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

As a result of the colonial administration’s use of correspondence, agreements, and gazettes to define interstate borders along the borders of neighbouring states, peninsular Malaysia’s interstate borders were organically drawn around rivers and watersheds. Unfortunately, several flaws need to be fixed, including the river’s fluctuating path, delays in decision-making, and the state government’s ignorance of the significance of demarcation. Due to the significant social, economic, political, and jurisdictional ramifications, the demarcation of the interstate border in peninsular Malaysia has been the focus of intense controversy. The interstate natural boundary, like the river, is linked to damaging common-pool resources in addition to the overconsumption of natural resources. In order to give a thorough understanding of inter-state border demarcation and to implicate useful policy actions, the application of effective factors for inter-state border demarcation revision into six factors should be made based on its impact: constitutive agreement, authoritative mandate, operational structure, technical specifications, dispute resolution mechanisms, and additional components known as sustainable border governance. This review was carried out by carefully examining the supporting data from the extensive border studies literature and questionnaire. The idea of interstate boundary demarcation involves several aspects that show how changing state borders can affect both states’ authority, law enforcement, socioeconomic conditions, and tax revenues. In order to help readers better comprehend the significance and impact of interstate border delineation in peninsular Malaysia, this article offered a different perspective on the topic.