KOTA KINABALU, Sept 24 — Sabah Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun is confident the federal government will safeguard the state's borders in the Balabac Strait, despite concerns surrounding a US-backed Philippine military facility in the region.
Speaking to reporters after the Sabah Carbon Forum today, Masidi said that border security falls under the jurisdiction of Putrajaya.
“It’s under their authority. So, definitely, I’m very sure that our government has done all that is necessary and reasonable to make sure that our borders are well-guarded,” he said.
When asked if Sabah would see additional security reinforcements, Masidi replied, “All I can say is that I don’t think they will allow Sabah to go undefended.”
The minister urged the public to remain objective, warning against statements that could spark unnecessary speculation. He stressed the need for a measured approach to the geopolitical development.
“I don’t think we should emotionalise the issue because there are a lot of issues that are related to that. I think the most important thing is that Sabah is not in any way exposing itself to security breaches just because somebody is building a huge facility.
“We should look at it with a reasonable and cool head. We don’t want to issue a statement that will somewhat lead to a lot of speculation,” he added.
The concerns stem from the upgrade of a Philippine military facility on Balabac island in southern Palawan, situated near the Balabac Strait that separates the Philippines from Sabah. Under the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement, the US is supporting the development, which includes a 3km airstrip.
This expansion has heightened security sensitivities in Malaysia, particularly given the Philippines’ longstanding claim over Sabah, a claim that Kuala Lumpur firmly rejects.
Regarding a meeting held on September 11, Masidi declined to disclose specific details, noting only that the discussions covered various matters in the best interest of Sabah and the nation.
