Military build-up on Philippine island risks conflict spillover to nearby Malaysia, says Khaled Nordin

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin speaks at a press conference after the groundbreaking ceremony for an additional building at the Kota Tinggi Islamic Orphan Welfare Organisation hostel in Kota Tinggi, October 3, 2026. — Bernama pic

By Ben Tan

First Published: Saturday, 03 Oct 2026 3:10 PM MYT

Last Modified: Saturday, 03 Oct 2026 3:12 PM MYT

KOTA TINGGI, Oct 3 — Malaysia does not view the military build-up on the southern Philippine island of Balabac as a direct threat, said Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

The defence minister said it was the Philippines’ right and prerogative to cooperate with the US military to strengthen its defence capabilities.

“For us, it is not the military buildup on Balabac Island itself that worries us, but rather its proximity to Malaysia.

“Should any dispute or conflict occur, even a minor one in geopolitical terms, the repercussions could spill over into Malaysia,” he told reporters after officiating the groundbreaking ceremony for an Islamic orphanage here today.

On a separate matter, Mohamed Khaled said the government aims to achieve a 50-50 ratio in the deployment of Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) personnel between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak.

He said the move was intended to ensure a more balanced national defence posture.

At present, about two-thirds of MAF personnel are stationed in Peninsular Malaysia, with the remainder based in Sabah and Sarawak.

Mohamed Khaled said there are about 20,000 active MAF personnel in Sabah and Sarawak at any one time.

“We aim for a balanced deployment based on the 50-50 ratio.

“This is part of the national defense strategy, while taking into account of Sabah and Sarawak’s geographical proximity to areas where conflicts could potentially arise,” he said, adding that defence readiness must be enhanced to address any potential conflict, confrontation or provocation in the region.

Balabac Island is one of nine Philippine sites covered by the Philippines-US Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which allows rotational access by US forces for activities including joint training and exercises.

The island is about 50 kilometres from Sabah’s Pulau Banggi, and increased military activity there has drawn attention in Malaysia amid wider geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea and the Philippines’ longstanding claim over Sabah, which Malaysia rejects.