SABAH Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun has urged the public to remain calm over reports of a US military base being established on Balabac Island in the Philippines, saying the Federal Government is responsible for the state’s security.
“Well, security is the Federal Government’s duty. It’s under their authority,” he said.
Masidi said he was confident the Federal Government had taken the necessary and reasonable measures to ensure Sabah’s borders remained secure.
He urged the issue to be viewed calmly and without unnecessary speculation.
“I don’t think we should emotionalise the issue because there are a lot of issues that are related to that. I think the most important thing is that Sabah is not in any way exposing itself to security breaches just because somebody is building a huge estuary,” he said.
“We should look at it with a reasonable and cool head. We don’t want to issue a statement that will somewhat lead to a lot of speculation.”
Asked whether additional reinforcements would be deployed on Sabah’s side, Masidi said he was not in a position to comment on military arrangements.
“I’m not the Armed Forces Chief or the Defence Minister, but all I can say is that I don’t think they will allow Sabah to go undefended,” he said.
On claims that Sabah Development Bank (SDB) had been reluctant to meet purchasers, Masidi said the circumstances needed to be viewed in the context of legal proceedings involving the bank.
He noted that the court had previously established that SDB was not the developer but the financier.
“How can you expect them to see you? You summoned them to the court. How can you expect them to see you? See you in court. And that’s exactly what happened,” he said, in relation to ongoing legal proceedings and court judgments establishing the bank as a financier rather than the developer as the primary reason for not meeting with PacifiCity project purchasers.
Masidi also said records showed that the private liquidator had conducted several tender exercises, with the process including checks on the credentials of potential tenderers.
“I want to assure all the purchasers. We are committed to assist. Hopefully, one day we will be able to solve the problems,” he told Daily Express.
Masidi also declined to disclose details of other matters discussed during a Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) meeting held several weeks ago, saying the discussions were in the interest of Sabah and the country. - September 26, 2026
