{
  "id": 9962043,
  "title": "Pertahanan diperkukuh susulan risiko pertembungan ‘kuasa besar’ di Laut China Selatan",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/pertahanan-diperkukuh-susulan-risiko-pertembungan-kuasa-besar-di-laut",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-26T09:48:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2026/09/26/pertahanan-diperkukuh-susulan-risiko-pertembungan-kuasa-besar-di-laut-china-selatan"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Malaysia must bolster its national defense, particularly in Sabah, as a precautionary measure in case of a confrontation or incident between major powers in the South China Sea. Defense Minister Khaled Nordin stated that Putrajaya is concerned about the potential repercussions if unforeseen events occur in the region, especially given its geographical proximity. Following the launch of National Defense Literacy in Kota Kinabalu, Nordin discussed public apprehensions in Sabah following the increased cooperation between Philippine and American defense forces, including the development of military bases, particularly on Balabac Island in Palawan, about 50km from Banggi Island in Sabah. Since 2014, China has claimed a significant portion of the South China Sea, a crucial route for global maritime trade, shipping, and fishing activities. However, this claim is contested by several nations, including the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam. According to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, a Washington-based think tank, at least one Chinese surveillance vessel enters and operates in Malaysian waters daily from January 1 to September 27, 2024. Nordin reiterated that Malaysia respects the Philippines' right to strengthen its defense capabilities through cooperation with Washington. However, he noted that the construction of a base on Balabac Island, in particular, requires attention from Putrajaya due to its proximity to Sabah. \"Each nation has the right to bolster its own defense,\" he said, \"This is their right, we do not dispute it, but as a neighboring country, we are concerned and it is our duty to take actions that can help our country in terms of defense.\"",
  "summary": "Menteri Pertahanan Khaled Nordin berkata Putrajaya bimbang konflik di kawasan maritim itu boleh merebak ke Malaysia, khasnya Sabah.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Pertahanan diperkukuh susulan risiko pertembungan ‘kuasa besar’ di Laut China Selatan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/pertahanan-diperkukuh-susulan-risiko-pertembungan-kuasa-besar-di-laut-9966983",
        "published": "2026-09-26T09:48:59.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}