Thomas Daniel was quoted in South China Morning Post, 8 October 2024
Set to be operational by 2030, the facility at Bintulu is positioned less than 150km from the disputed Luconia Shoals, also claimed by China
By Hadi Azmi
A new naval base in Borneo will play a vital role in Malaysia’s ability to address growing threats in the contested South China Sea, experts say – despite the challenges posed by its ageing fleet.
The base in Bintulu, Sarawak will be strategically located just 80 nautical miles (148km) from the South Luconia Shoals – known as Beting Patinggi Ali to Malaysia. This area is claimed by Beijing as its southernmost territory but lies within Malaysia’s 200 nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
In recent months, China has become increasingly aggressive in asserting its South China Sea claims, which overlap with those of Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and Vietnam.
Malaysia’s maritime defence, however, is hampered by a fleet that is largely past its prime. Half of the country’s 49 ships are operating beyond their serviceable lifespan, an issue that has been compounded by delays in the deliveries of new vessels.
In June, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim acknowledged that Malaysia struggles to effectively monitor its extensive maritime domain, after US allegations that the Southeast Asian nation had become a hub for sanction-busting Iranian oil shipments to China.
The new base at Bintulu would be important in boosting Malaysia’s naval capabilities, Thomas Daniel, a foreign policy and security specialist from the Institute Of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia research institute, told This Week in Asia.
“It is not just about the number of ships or … the huge operational strain on existing ships,” he said.
“Having more optimal basing facilities that reduce response times to key maritime zones is important both operationally and policy-wise.”
Malaysia’s navy currently operates from Sepanggar in Sabah, more than 215 nautical miles (398km) northeast of South Luconia Shoals.
Announced in November, the Bintulu base was selected for its strategic proximity to both the shoals and the Kasawari Gas Field. Defence Minister Mohamad Hasan stressed its significance, saying it would be “crucial to strengthen our country’s waters”.
“The growth of the country’s defence capabilities in northern Sarawak shows the government’s commitment to ensuring that the country’s coastal areas, waters, borders and airspace are always in a state of readiness,” he said at the time.
The naval facility, along with an accompanying air force base, is expected to be operational by 2030.
South China Sea tensions escalated on Friday, when Vietnam formally accused Chinese law enforcement personnel of assaulting 10 Vietnamese fishermen and seizing their catch near the contested Paracel Islands.
Meanwhile, fishermen near the Scarborough Shoal, close to the Philippines, have reported being “completely surrounded” by Chinese coastguard and militia vessels despite China’s annual four-month fishing moratorium coming to an end.
US experts have urged Malaysia to adopt a more assertive stance in defending its maritime rights, even as its trade ties with China become increasingly vital.
“Accommodating China is basically paying later with extra penalties, and frequently the penalty will come in the form of blood, sweat and tears,” warned Toshi Yoshihara, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments think tank, who writes extensively on China’s military and maritime policy.
He said in June that these costs could manifest as economic repercussions, loss of territorial integrity, and heightened regional instability – all undermining Malaysia’s national interests and security.
Security specialist Thomas said that while “almost anything that a Southeast Asian claimant state does” could provoke a reaction from China, it would be a mistake for Malaysia to let this dictate its core interests in the South China Sea.
“If anything, having facilities that improve our response and patrol duration complements Malaysia’s long-standing approach of not stirring the pot in public but having firm positions on our core interests,” he said.
This article first published in South China Morning Post, 8 October 2024
