Many facilities on the island are shared by the military and citizens

The Sharing of Equipment by Troops and Civilians
　　It was noted above that the runway on Swallow Reef is shared by military and civilian flights. This islet is simultaneously a resort and a military base. As one might imagine, many facilities are shared between the two users, such as docks, fresh water and electricity supply, etc. While this might be expected to cause management problems, the policy adopted by the Malaysian government is keep military and civilian management separate. This sensible mode of operation has many benefits. It reduces the amount of private sector investment required, while the support provided by the military for private enterprise helps reinforce the image of the reef as being effectively administered by Malaysia as an integral part of its national territory.