By: Zaidul Khair bin Jungkim
KUALA LUMPUR: Oct 10, 2026 – Penampang MP Datuk Ewon Benedick raised the question of security risks linked to the presence of generations of refugees and foreigners from the Philippines in Sabah in the Dewan Rakyat last Thursday.
Ewon asked the Defence Ministry whether the situation was recognised as a form of security risk to the country, taking into account Sabah’s proximity to the islands or territory of the Philippines.
“With Sabah’s proximity to the islands or territory of the Philippines, there will certainly be movement of people between the two territories.
“This House is also aware of the influx of generations of refugees and foreigners from the Philippines since long ago. Does the Defence Ministry recognise this situation as a form of security risk to the country?” he said when raising a supplementary question during the oral question session.
Ewon also asked whether intelligence activities were being carried out on propaganda among generations of refugees from the Philippines that may be linked to claims by certain parties in that country over Sabah.
The supplementary question followed Defence Deputy Minister Adly Zahari’s reply to Ewon’s oral question on the government’s efforts to balance the more significant presence and development of United States and Philippine military facilities on Balabac Island.
Responding, Adly said national security challenges and threats, whether traditional or non-traditional, were assessed based on various aspects from time to time.
He said national security challenges at the border were not only military-related but also involved smuggling and human trafficking.
Besides completing defence assets in Sabah, the responsibility of safeguarding national security also involved ministries, agencies and society through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.
Adly cited coordination on Banggi Island, which also involved the National Security Council (NSC), to ensure relevant parties were aware of the threats faced.
“We are trying our best so that not only elected representatives, but all Sabahans, including residents in island areas, understand the impact of their actions and the threat to Sabah and Malaysia as a whole,” he said.
Adly stressed that the responsibility of safeguarding national security and sovereignty was the government’s priority.
Source: Jabatan Penerangan Malaysia
