Jakarta, June 29 -- Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian firmly dismissed circulating rumors that two villages in Nunukan, North Kalimantan, have been absorbed into Malaysian territory.

Speaking before Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) at the Parliamentary Complex on Monday, Tito addressed public concerns over the border issue.

He clarified that the villages remain part of Indonesian territory. While a small portion of land was conceded to Malaysia, Indonesia actually gained a significantly larger area in return in a recent land-swap agreement.

"Sometimes it is said that two villages have been part of Malaysia. That is not the case," Tito remarked.

Tito, who also serves as the Head of the National Borde...