Singapore given 'details' of
RSAF jet intrusions
Straits Times
Oct 30, 1998
RAWANG -- Malaysia has sent a note to Singapore to substantiate
its recent claim of intrusions by the Republic's military aircraft into
Malaysian air space, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said
yesterday.
He said detailed information about the intrusions had been forwarded to Singapore's Foreign Ministry by its Malaysian counterpart.
"I have information about incidents we consider a breach of our air space. We have gone through the normal channel, which is the Foreign Ministry, to bring it up," he said in rebutting an editorial in Singapore's The Straits Times daily.
In Singapore, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman said last night that the ministry has received the memo.
"Yes we can confirm that we have received this. We have also replied, refuting their claims," the spokesman said.
The Straits Times, in a recent editorial, asked Malaysia to show proof of intrusions by RSAF planes or "shut up".
The editorial followed remarks in the Malaysian Parliament by Datuk Syed Hamid's deputy, Datuk Dr Abdullah Fadzil Che Wan, on Oct 21 that the privileges to the RSAF to use Malaysian air space were withdrawn as it did not keep to its promise and had breached regulations.
Since the Sept 18 revoking of the blanket approval for RSAF to use its air space, Malaysia said RSAF planes had been regularly intruding its airspace.
Datuk Syed Hamid, who was speaking to reporters yesterday, also showed them a copy of the memo sent by the Malaysian Foreign Ministry to its Singapore counterpart containing all incidents of intrusion by RSAF aircraft supported by exact location, type of aircraft and times.
"Why should a newspaper editorial tell us to shut up even though it rejects our views," he told reporters.
Last week, Singapore's Defence Ministry (Mindef) categorically denied Malaysian allegations that RSAF aircraft intruded into Malaysian airspace.
The ministry had said: "Mindef is puzzled by these latest allegations of intrusions and wishes to reiterate that there is no reason whatsoever for the RSAF to intrude into Malaysian airspace."
It had added that thorough investigations are carried out into any alleged intrusions if the Malaysian authorities raise them with the ministry and provide the relevant information. -- Bernama