Upgrade your membership plan for the full website experience.
View Membership Plans
October 31, 2024

Malaysia Bolsters Security off Borneo States

sarawak naval base
A new naval base and a planned RMAF facility in Bintulu will offer better protection against repeated incursions by the Chinese navy into Malaysia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off the Sarawakian coast. (X pic) — https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2024/10/17/new-naval-base-for-sarawak-amid-rising-south-china-sea-tensions/
October 31, 2024

Malaysia is bolstering its security presence in East Malaysia by building a new naval base, the Region 4 Naval Headquarters, in Sarawak, as a deterrent to tensions in the South China Sea. Set to be completed by 2030, the base will enhance Malaysia's ability to patrol its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The resource-rich waters off Sarawak and Sabah, Luconia Shoals, fall within the EEZ zone and are home to numerous oil and gas sites which host robust US-partnered investment projects.

The naval base is indeed expected to improve Malaysia’s ability to patrol and defend its EEZ. Yet Malaysia remains focused on pursuing primarily diplomatic approaches such as active rounds of negotiation regarding a code of conduct for the South China Sea.

Sarawak, the larger of the two East Malaysian states, is a hub for natural resources with its large reserves of offshore oil and gas, hydrogen energy facilities, and vast renewable energy potential. These are critical to Malaysia’s economic growth and safeguarding them aligns with Malaysia’ ASEAN Chairmanship theme of “Sustainability and Inclusivity.”

Join the Council to continue reading this article
Enhance your business impact in Southeast Asia: Become a member of the US-ASEAN Business Council and tap into a network of possibilities.
Free Related Articles

Membership Plans

Corporate Council

Corporate membership provides general advocacy support, access to all country- and industry-specific updates, and access to most Council events.

  • Business missions to all 10 ASEAN markets which engage governments at the highest levels.
  • Off-the-record roundtables and policy briefings with senior government leaders in ASEAN and the U.S.
  • On-the-ground support for promoting your positions/policy priorities with policy makers.
  • Industry-specific, country-specific, cross-sector and regional advocacy through committees that target their engagement based on member priorities.
  • Advocacy on your behalf in situations where your company should not be directly identified or is unable to be present.

Chairman’s Council

Corporate membership provides general advocacy support, access to all country- and industry-specific updates, and access to most Council events.

  • All Corporate benefits.
  • Assistance with resolving company-specific trade or investment issues through our six regional offices and U.S.-based staff.
  • Develop effective advocacy strategies to impact policy concerns.
  • Identification of, and engagement with appropriate policy influencers to impact policy concerns.
  • Assistance in conducting follow-up after engaging government leaders (can include providing officials with additional materials, setting up meetings with their staff, getting a readout of the government’s reaction to the discussion).
  • Support for developing arguments that will resonate with target stakeholders.
  • Leading and setting the agenda and policy priorities of the Country and Industry Committees.