KOTA KINABALU: Wisma Putra should launch a diplomatic offensive to ensure the South China Sea remains stable and safe amid growing concerns of militarisation of the region due to superpower rivalry.
Making the call, Sabah state assembly backbenchers chief Datuk Masiung Banah said that the Foreign Ministry should step up diplomatic discussions with the United States, China, and the Philippines to ensure regional waters remain safe for trade routes.
He said the rising rivalry between the US and China in the South China Sea could endanger cross-border security in Sabah.
Masiung said the growing military presence should not be taken lightly as it poses risks to Malaysia’s sovereignty, particularly involving Sabah and Sarawak.
He said there was concern in the state over the Philippines’ collaboration with the US in enhancing military facilities including an airstrip on Balabac Island, located just 50km from Sabah’s Banggi Island — a distance that can be covered in 20 minutes by speedboat.
“Given the proximity of these operations to Sabah, Malaysia must take serious precautions to safeguard the security of its people, especially in northern coastal areas,” Masiung said in a statement Tuesday (Sept 8).
“The presence of a significant number of US troops in Balabac could trigger unforeseen situations. We must remember that the Philippines still maintains its so-called historic claim over Sabah,” he added.
Masiung noted that military activities by both the US and China around Malaysia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off Sabah and Sarawak’s waters remain a serious concern especially in waters off northern Sabah.
“Malaysia and the Philippines currently enjoy good bilateral relations,” he said, adding that the country should remain vigilant against any unexpected developments.
He also welcomed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s concern over US military activities in Balabac and the Philippines’ unresolved claim on Sabah.
