Malaysia has strengthened defence readiness in northern Sabah amid increased military activity by the United States and the Philippines on Balabac Island, near the Malaysian border.
Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) had enhanced border controls and land, maritime and aerial surveillance in areas including Kudat, Banggi Island and Balambangan Island.
He said the ministry was continuously monitoring foreign military activities and assessing their implications for Malaysia’s security and strategic interests.
“In this regard, the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) have strengthened and will continue to strengthen readiness in Sabah, particularly in the northern areas covering Kudat, Banggi Island and Balambangan Island, which is located close to Balabac Island in the Philippines.
“This is being achieved through strengthened border controls, land, maritime, and aerial surveillance, as well as enhanced Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) capabilities through the use of radar, drones, and maritime and aerial monitoring assets,” he said during the Dewan Rakyat question-and-answer session today.
Adly said Malaysia respected the sovereign right of neighbouring countries to establish defence cooperation, while ensuring its own defence remained capable of responding to changes in the regional security landscape.
He said the government was also strengthening defence under the Total Defence (HANRUH) concept through a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approach involving agencies including the Royal Malaysia Police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Eastern Sabah Security Command and National Security Council.
Malaysia was also strengthening defence cooperation with friendly countries through information sharing, training and exercises.
Adly said the country’s strategic approach also involved maintaining regional balance through ASEAN, with Malaysia maintaining that the regional bloc should remain neutral and non-aligned.
Meanwhile, he said Sabah’s defence restructuring and long-term planning had been formulated up to 2050, including the procurement of new assets such as Littoral Mission Ships, FA-50M light combat aircraft and Littoral Combat Ships.
