"We want the ratio to be 50 per cent each in the peninsula and in Sabah and Sarawak, to balance it out," he told reporters after the groundbreaking ceremony for the Asrama Anak-Anak Yatim Islam Kota Tinggi here today.

Meanwhile, on the development of military activities on Balabac Island in the Philippines, located near Malaysia, he said the matter should be viewed from the perspective of preparedness rather than as a direct threat to the country.

 "I want to clarify that we are not worried about the military build-up in Balabac. What I want to emphasise is that when the Philippines upgrades its bases and military presence there, any dispute or clash in that geopolitically small area could spill over into Malaysia," he said.

On a separate matter, Mohamed Khaled said the government will pursue its claim against a Norwegian company over the cancellation of the export licence for the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) anti-ship missile system to Malaysia.

He said the government is also evaluating replacement options for the NSM anti-ship missile system from three countries, with an estimated cost of between RM700 million and over RM1 billion, which will need fresh funding. 

Mohamed Khaled said the process of securing the replacement system must be expedited, as missile procurements take years due to the need for advance orders.

The Norwegian government was previously reported to have cancelled the NSM export licence to Malaysia, along with the related launcher system, citing national security concerns.

Following this, Malaysia sent a letter of demand claiming over RM1 billion to the company concerned and is now awaiting a response from the Norwegian government.

-- BERNAMA