KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- The Defence Ministry has assured that Sabah’s sovereignty and security remain safeguarded despite increased military activity by the United States and the Philippines on Balabac Island, located near Malaysia’s national border.
Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said the ministry continuously monitors defence developments and any increase in foreign military activities, while assessing the implications for the nation's security and strategic interests.
He said Malaysia respects the sovereign right of neighbouring countries to establish defence cooperation aimed at strengthening their respective defence capabilities, while ensuring that its own defence remains robust, credible and capable of responding to changes in the security landscape.
“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 question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to a question from Datuk Ewon Benedick (PH-Penampang) on the ministry’s measures to strengthen defence in northern Sabah following the development of US-Philippines military facilities on Balabac Island, about 50 kilometres from Malaysia’s coast in Sabah.
Adly said the ministry was also working to strengthen defence through the Total Defence (HANRUH) concept, using a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society (WOGOS) approach involving the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM), the National Security Council (MKN), the Sabah government, and other relevant agencies.
"In addition, we are striving to strengthen defence cooperation with friendly countries through information sharing, training, exercises, and defence literacy programmes," he said.
He said that beyond strengthening national defence capabilities, Malaysia also adopts a diplomatic approach to maintaining strategic balance in Southeast Asia, with ASEAN serving as the primary platform.
"We place great emphasis on upholding Malaysia's position that ASEAN must remain neutral and non-aligned, ensuring that countries in the region are not pressured to choose sides between global superpowers," he added.
Meanwhile, Adly said the restructuring and long-term planning of the national defence sector in Sabah had been formulated up to 2050, including the procurement of various new assets such as Littoral Mission Ships (LMS), FA-50M light combat aircraft, and Littoral Combat Ships (LCS).
-- BERNAMA