Hajiji Noor calls for stronger maritime security in northern Sabah
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor has called for an immediate strengthening of maritime security in northern waters near Kudat, citing concerns over rising military activity on Balabac Island in the southern Philippines. The state government’s push for increased vigilance comes as authorities monitor the strategic corridor encompassing Pulau Banggi and Pulau Balambangan, which lie approximately 50 kilometers from military activity on Balabac Island.
Sabah Supports AI Radar and Surveillance in Kudat
The Sabah government has signaled its support for federal plans to deploy artificial intelligence-enabled radar systems and long-range surveillance cameras in the Kudat area by 2028. Chief Minister Hajiji confirmed he has personally discussed the necessity of increasing security personnel in these waters with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Reporting from the state security committee meeting in Kota Kinabalu on October 22, Bernama noted that the Chief Minister views these measures as fundamental to maintaining regional stability and protecting the economic well-being of coastal communities.
ESSCom Identifies Kudat as Area Requiring Consistent Monitoring
Security agencies have intensified their focus on the northern maritime frontier, though officials caution against interpreting enforcement data as a direct measure of external threats. Data presented to the Dewan Rakyat by Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah on October 14 indicated that the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) identified Kudat, Banggi, and Balambangan as areas requiring consistent monitoring.
While ESSCom reported a 79.4 percent increase in arrests of undocumented migrants in Kudat—totaling 122 individuals last year and 68 in 2024—the Deputy Minister stated these figures reflect heightened enforcement activity rather than an escalation in attempted incursions. On October 8, Deputy Defense Minister Adly Zahari confirmed in Parliament that Malaysia is actively monitoring military exercises involving the United States and the Philippines on Balabac Island. Both state and federal officials maintain that this monitoring is a standard security precaution rather than a response to a direct threat, emphasizing that Malaysia continues to hold constructive diplomatic relations with both Manila and Washington.
Minister Proposes Diesel Subsidies for Kudat Ferry Operators
The current focus on infrastructure follows a May 2026 announcement by Prime Minister Anwar during a visit to Pulau Banggi, where he allocated over RM31 million for improvements to jetties, roads, and healthcare facilities. Regional authorities are now tasked with ensuring that these development commitments—including the upgrading of the Kampung Dogoton jetty—are completed on schedule to support both local economic resilience and maritime security operations. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister has also directed state agencies to coordinate air quality monitoring in response to transboundary haze affecting the Malaysia-Indonesia border, citing potential risks to public health and the efficiency of maritime patrol operations.