Sabah defence upgrades not a response to Philippine military build-up, says Khaled

LABUAN, Oct 30 — Malaysia will continue strengthening its military capabilities in Sabah to safeguard national security amid regional geopolitical developments, but the move is not a direct response to the Philippines’ military build-up on Balabac Island, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said.

He said every country has the right to enhance its defence capabilities, and Malaysia was similarly committed to ensuring its armed forces remained prepared for any potential escalation of regional tensions.

“Every country has the right to strengthen its military capabilities, and Malaysia will do the same. However, our efforts are not a reaction to what the Philippines is doing in its southern region, but part of our preparations to ensure that any escalation of tensions will have minimal impact on Malaysia,” he told reporters after receiving the FA-50M aircrafts from South Korea at the Labuan Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base here.

Khaled was commenting on the Philippine government’s efforts to strengthen military facilities on Balabac Island in southern Palawan, which has been designated as a military cooperation site accessible to the United States forces.

Khaled said strengthening Malaysia’s defence capabilities, particularly in Sabah, remained a key priority of the Defence Ministry.

He said the ministry would determine the number of FA-50M light combat aircraft to be stationed at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base in Labuan following the planned decommissioning of Hawk fighter aircraft in 2028.

“Once the Hawk aircraft are phased out in 2028, we will determine how many FA-50M aircraft will be stationed at the Labuan air base,” he said.

He said the government had also decided to install new radar systems in Sabah, including on Layang-Layang Island, to enhance surveillance and early detection capabilities.

“The ministry would also increase military personnel in Sabah, where more than 10,000 troops are currently stationed, while new military camps have been developed to strengthen operational readiness,” he said.

Khaled reiterated that the initiatives were part of Malaysia’s continuing efforts to reinforce national defence and protect its sovereignty, rather than a response to military developments in neighbouring countries. — Bernama

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纳闽，10月30日——马来西亚国防部长拿督斯里穆罕默德·卡立·诺丁表示，马来西亚将继续加强在沙巴的军事能力，以在地区地缘政治发展中维护国家安全，但此举并非直接回应菲律宾在巴拉巴克岛的军事集结。

他表示，每个国家都有权增强其国防能力，马来西亚同样致力于确保其武装部队随时准备应对任何可能出现的地区紧张局势升级。

“每个国家都有权加强其军事能力，马来西亚也不例外。然而，我们的努力并非是对菲律宾在其南部地区行动的回应，而是为了确保任何紧张局势升级对马来西亚的影响降至最低，”他在位于此地的纳闽皇家马来西亚空军基地从韩国接收FA-50M战斗机后对记者表示。

哈立德是在评论菲律宾政府为加强巴拉望岛南部巴拉巴克岛上的军事设施所做的努力，该岛已被指定为美军可使用的军事合作基地。

哈立德表示，加强马来西亚的国防能力，尤其是在沙巴州的国防能力，仍然是国防部的一项重要优先事项。

他表示，在计划于 2028 年退役 Hawk 战斗机之后，国防部将决定在纳闽皇家马来西亚空军基地部署多少架 FA-50M 轻型战斗机。

“一旦鹰式战斗机在 2028 年逐步退役，我们将决定在纳闽空军基地部署多少架 FA-50M 战斗机，”他说。

他表示，政府还决定在沙巴州安装新的雷达系统，包括在拉央拉央岛，以增强监视和早期发现能力。

“国防部还将增加驻扎在沙巴的军事人员，目前那里驻扎着超过1万名士兵，同时还新建了军事营地，以加强作战准备，”他说。

卡立重申，这些举措是马来西亚持续加强国防和维护国家主权的努力的一部分，而非对邻国军事发展的回应。——马新社

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