KOTA KINABALU: The United States-backed enhancement of the Philippines' military base in Balabac Island, about 50km from Sabah's Pulau Banggi, should not be a cause of concern, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
The Sabah Chief Minister said the plan to upgrade Balabac Island for United States military purposes had nothing to do with Malaysia.
"Do not make an issue out of it. The United States is establishing a military base in the Philippines, on Balabac Island. That is Philippine territory. It has nothing to do with Malaysia or anyone else," he told reporters after visiting victims of the Numbak fire at the temporary evacuation centre at Dewan Serbaguna Likas here Monday (Aug 31).
He said he was unaware of the objective behind establishing the military base, but the people should view the development positively as it might relate to the United States' need to maintain a military base in the eastern region.
Hajiji also stressed that Sabah would not be affected by developments on the island.
The Balabac militarisation – involving upgrading the military base and developing a 3km airstrip on the island – saw Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim raise concerns over the militarisation on Balabac Island, which is occurring amid the growing US-China rivalry for influence in the South China Sea.
Anwar said although bilateral relations with the Philippines were good, there was also concern especially over the Philippines' Sabah claim.
Balabac is one of nine Philippine sites covered by the Philippines-US Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement, which analysts say draws Sabah into the frontline rivalry in the South China Sea between Washington and Beijing over the South China Sea and Taiwan.
