KL will 'activate jets' if RSAF
enters air space
Straits Times
Nov 12, 1998
Malaysia will not compromise on any invasion of its air
space and will take appropriate action if necessary, says the country's
Defence Minister
KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysia will mobilise its jets if there is proof
of encroachment into its air space by the Republic of Singapore Air Force
(RSAF), Defence Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar has said.
Speaking in parliament on Tuesday (Nov 10), he stressed that the country would not compromise on any invasion of its air space and would take appropriate action if necessary, The Star reported yesterday. "We will not compromise on matters which concern the country's security and sovereignty," he said.
Noting that the permission for the RSAF to utilise Malaysia's air space had ended on Sept 18, he said that the government had taken appropriate steps to overcome encroachment problems.
The ministry had sent a diplomatic objection in line with the regulations.
To step up surveillance, the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is also utilising its defence radars to detect any kind of air space intrusion and encroachment, he said.
"We also have troops stationed mostly in the south to check intrusion," he added.
At this point, a member of parliament asked if Singapore had deliberately "played" with Malaysia in the midst of the regional economic crisis and subsequently made peace.
"Is this part of a drama or is it serious?" the MP asked.
Datuk Syed Hamid replied: "In defence affairs, it's dangerous to have any sort of dramas."
Singapore's Defence Ministry (Mindef) has denied categorically Malaysia's allegations of air space intrusion.
In a recent statement, Mindef said the allegations had been refuted with facts provided by Singapore.
For instance, in two cases, the aircraft in question were not Singapore's but those of another country, with Malaysia having cleared the flights.
In his speech to parliament on Tuesday, Datuk Syed Hamid also touched on the government plan to build 27 patrol vessels costing RM5.4 billion (S$2.3 billion) for the Royal Malaysian Navy.
"However, looking at the present economic situation, it has been decided that only six of the vessels will be built," he said.
"The manufacturing of the vessels, to be completed in eight years, will be done locally to generate more domestic economic activity," he added.
Last week, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that Singapore aircraft on search-and-rescue operations would be granted immediate permission to enter Malaysian air space.
This was agreed upon at a meeting between him and Singapore's Prime Minister, Mr Goh Chok Tong.