“Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim pledged to bolster Malaysia’s defences, citing concerns over a US-backed Philippine military outpost just kilometres from Malaysia’s eastern state of Sabah.”
“Anwar singled out Balabac island in southern Palawan, where the Philippines has been upgrading strategic facilities and building a 3km airstrip.”
“The island is one of nine Philippine sites covered by the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which gives American forces access to designated locations and allows Washington to fund infrastructure.”
“Balabac’s location, about 20 minutes from Malaysia’s Banggi island, according to Anwar, is particularly sensitive for Kuala Lumpur because of a long-running dispute over Sabah.”
“The Philippines maintains a claim to the territory, which joined Malaysia when the federation was formed in 1963, a claim Kuala Lumpur has firmly rejected.”
“Washington and Manila say EDCA investments support combined training, exercises and military interoperability, with the US saying in 2023 it planned to allocate more than US$100 million (S$128 million).”