Malaysia eyes strengthened South China Sea defence with new naval base in Borneo

Set to be operational by 2030, the facility at Bintulu is positioned less than 150km from the disputed Luconia Shoals, also claimed by China

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Ships of the Royal Malaysian Navy on patrol in 2015. Half of the country’s 49 ships are operating beyond their serviceable lifespan. Photo: AFP

Published: 1:38pm, 8 Oct 2024Updated: 1:47pm, 8 Oct 2024

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.

Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has acknowledged the struggles his country faces effectively monitoring its maritime domain. Photo: AFP

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.