US military expansion: Khaled says any clashes near Philippine island could spill over into M'sia

Kota Tinggi — Malaysia does not view the growing military presence on the southern Philippine island of Balabac as a direct threat, according to Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, the country's Defence Minister. Malaysia respects the Philippines' decision to collaborate with the US military to bolster its defense capabilities, but Khaled Nordin expressed concern over the proximity of this build-up to Malaysia.

He warned that even a minor dispute or conflict, regardless of its geopolitical significance, could have repercussions for Malaysia. This warning came after Khaled Nordin inaugurated the groundbreaking ceremony for an Islamic orphanage in Sabah. The Malaysian government aims to achieve a 50-50 ratio in deploying its Armed Forces between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak, as the current distribution leans heavily towards Peninsular Malaysia.

Currently, around two-thirds of the Malaysian Armed Forces personnel are stationed in Peninsular Malaysia, while the remaining personnel are based in Sabah and Sarawak. Khaled Nordin emphasized that this strategic deployment aims to create a more balanced national defense posture, taking into account the geographical proximity of Sabah and Sarawak to areas potentially prone to conflicts.

The island of Balabac is one of nine sites covered by the Philippines-US Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) that permits rotational access by US forces for joint training and exercises. Balabac is approximately 50 kilometers from Sabah’s Pulau Banggi, and the heightened military activity in the region has raised concerns in Malaysia amidst the broader geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea and the Philippine claim to Sabah, which Malaysia firmly rejects.