Malaysia’s Silent Military Buildup on Borneo
“Over the past few years, Malaysia has undertaken a military buildup in Sabah and Sarawak, reflecting Putrajaya’s growing recognition that quiet diplomacy alone is insufficient. As China’s maritime reach expands and its tactics become more aggressive, Malaysia understands that it should not be caught unprepared. Putrajaya has massive economic interests in the South China Sea, where revenue from oil and gas resources forms more than a fifth of total public revenue.”
“New defense infrastructures are also being built. The Royal Malaysian Navy has expanded its footprint in the east with a new naval command in Sarawak, with an additional facility capable of supporting submarine operations. This facility will double the number of facilities capable of supporting Malaysia’s submarine operations in Borneo. Additionally, a new bare base facility in Sarawak for the air force has been approved, and construction works will begin this year.”
“New military units, critical to supporting Malaysia’s maritime interests, have been established and based in Sabah and Sarawak. The Malaysian navy’s Squadron 503, operating U.S.-supplied ScanEagle unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance aerial vehicles, is based in Sabah. Meanwhile, Sarawak hosts the new air force’s No. 3 Squadron, which operates AW 139 helicopters that can provide logistical and airlift support for the Malaysian military presence in five atolls in the South China Sea.”
https://thediplomat.com/2025/06/malaysias-silent-military-buildup-on-borneo/