Yes you have to unregister keybinding, you can make something like this
tabComponent.getInputMap(JComponent.WHEN_FOCUSED).put(KeyStroke.getKeyStroke("LEFT"), "none");
tabComponent.getInputMap(JComponent.WHEN_FOCUSED).put(KeyStroke.getKeyStroke("RIGHT"), "none");
You may want to take a look at this How to use KeyBindings. It is not recommended to use KeyListeners instead use KeyBindings, cause first you have to have focus and besides keylisteners is for all keys, and keybinding is for specific key.