Malaysia upgrades South China Sea defences amid Sabah row with Philippines

Malaysia is stepping up surveillance on its eastern flank, pushing ahead with plans for a long-range radar at a frontline South China Sea outpost and launching newly operational drones. The upgrades reflect Kuala Lumpur’s bid to improve its ability to detect threats as the Philippines revives its claim over Sabah state in Malaysian Borneo and Chinese patrols persist near its offshore energy fields. Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said on Sunday that the radar would be installed on…