Malaysia fears military ‘miscalculation’ near Sabah amid US-China rivalry

AI Summary

Malaysia's Defence Minister warned of increased risk of military miscalculations near Sabah due to intensified US-China rivalry in the surrounding waters. The rising military activity is prompting Malaysia to seek increased defence spending amidst complex regional dynamics in the South China Sea.

Malaysia faces a growing risk of miscalculation near its state of Sabah as US-China rivalry drives more military activities into the waters around Borneo, its defence minister has warned, bolstering the government’s push for higher spending on its armed forces. The concern is particularly acute for Malaysia, a South China Sea claimant that has long sought to keep close economic ties with China while avoiding alignment with either Beijing or Washington and is feeling further unease over the...