Putrajaya must increase investment in Sarawak’s defence to protect vital assets including dams, Luconia Shoals

The mega Bakun Hydroelectric Plant (HEP) dam.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Oct 16: The federal government must allocate a substantial budget to enhance Sarawak’s strategic defence capabilities to safeguard its sovereignty and protect vital assets—from hydroelectric dams to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)—in the face of rising geopolitical threats.

A commentary by Peter Sibon from Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) on Monday (Oct 14) underscored alarming vulnerabilities in protecting Sarawak’s critical infrastructure.

Key assets such as the Bakun, Murum, Baleh, and Batang Ai hydroelectric power (HEP) dams, as well as the EEZ, including the resource-rich Beting Patinggi Ali or South Luconia Shoals, remain inadequately defended.

A pressing concern is that security guards at these dam sites are often unarmed, making them susceptible to intruders. Additionally, reports of foreign vessels harassing local fishermen in Sarawak’s waters are increasingly common, while oil rig workers in the EEZ have faced intimidation from foreign navies. These issues are not hypothetical—they are real and ongoing threats.

A screengrab of Google Earth indicating the distance of Luconia Shoals from the Miri coastline.

Sarawak must tackle these challenges head-on to protect its sovereignty and economy. This includes the urgency of improving defence capabilities, particularly in light of the RM40 billion allocated for infrastructure development, announced by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

The funding covers roads, bridges, urban transport systems in Kuching and Miri, telecommunications, and the construction of a new hydro power dam in Baleh, among other renewable energy projects—many of which are financed from Sarawak’s own reserves.

Although defence falls under federal jurisdiction, Sarawak must advocate for a dedicated budget to bolster its strategic defence, including acquiring more ships, submarines, planes, and drones to patrol the EEZ and prevent foreign naval encroachments.

Recently, Sarawak’s Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, called for the urgent establishment of a navy base in Bintulu—a strategic location for monitoring the vast EEZ, particularly Beting Patinggi Ali, only 80 nautical miles from Sarawak’s shores.

Currently, naval forces patrolling Sarawak’s waters are despatched from Peninsular Malaysia or Sabah, making them too distant to respond swiftly to emerging threats. As time, strategic assets, and personnel are critical in defence, Putrajaya must invest more in Sarawak’s defence infrastructure.

Navy officers stand at attention as another vessel approaches. Photo credit: RMN

Sarawak is not asking for the impossible but for a fair share of national resources. As an integral part of Malaysia, Sarawak’s prosperity benefits the entire nation with significant tax revenue contribution to federal coffers. As such, federal leaders must stop treating Sarawak as an afterthought.

As one of the signatories of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) alongside Malaya (Peninsula Malaysia), Singapore, and North Borneo (Sabah), Sarawak deserves equitable treatment, even though Singapore left the union in 1965.

Additionally, Sarawak needs a secure border road to facilitate patrols and monitoring of the “jalan tikus” and “jalan gajah” (illegal routes) along the Kalimantan border. A fence should be constructed along these porous routes to prevent smuggling, human trafficking, and the spread of diseases like rabies.

Belaga assemblyman and Deputy Minister of Utilities Datuk Liwan Lagang has stressed the need for army camps near strategic assets like the dam sites.

Given Sarawak’s size—almost equivalent to Peninsular Malaysia—it certainly requires more funding to address its geographical challenges. He also urged the federal government to invest in better communication networks, especially in Sarawak’s rural areas.

A group photo of the Satuan Tugas Pengamanan Perbatasan (Satgas Pamtas) Republik Indonesia-Malaysia (RI-Malaysia) task force taken during one of its patrols along the border.

It is crucial for Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim to fulfil his promise to enhance Sarawak’s wellbeing, particularly in safeguarding its sovereignty and strategic assets.

As Finance Minister, Anwar is called upon to ensure that these urgent needs are addressed in the upcoming budget presentation on Friday (Oct 18). — DayakDaily