Malaysia boosts patrols, radar in disputed sea amid Sabah claim

Malaysia is strengthening its military presence in the South China Sea, announcing plans to install a long-range radar on a remote outpost and deploying new drones for surveillance. Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said Sunday that the radar would be placed on Swallow Reef, one of several features in the Spratly Islands that Malaysia occupies. The upgrades aim to improve detection of threats, as tensions rise over Philippine claims to the state of Sabah on Borneo island and continued Chinese patrols near Malaysian offshore energy fields. The minister did not specify a timeline for the radar installation. Malaysia has long maintained a modest military footprint in the South China Sea, where Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam have overlapping claims. The area is believed to hold significant oil and gas reserves and is a major shipping route. The recent moves come after the Philippines under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. revived its historical claim to Sabah, which Malaysia considers part of its territory. Manila's claim dates back to the colonial era but had been set aside for decades. Malaysia also faces regular Chinese coast guard and navy patrols near its exclusive economic zone, including around oil and gas platforms. The new drone fleet, already operational, will provide round-the-clock aerial surveillance of Malaysia's eastern waters.