Defence ministry rejects KL intrusion claims

The ministry said yesterday: "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 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.

"We have also previously informed the Malaysians that we are ready to discuss and to exchange information to clear up any doubts over alleged intrusions, but this has never been taken up by Malaysia," it said.

The ministry was responding to statements made in the Malaysian parliament, the Dewan Rakyat, by the Deputy Defence Minister, Datuk Dr Abdullah Fadzil Che Wan, on Wednesday, as reported by Bernama.

The deputy minister said that the "privilege" accorded to the RSAF to use Malaysian airspace had to be withdrawn after the RSAF "did not keep to its promise and also breached regulations".

He also claimed that after the privileges were withdrawn on Sept 18, RSAF jets intruded regularly into Malaysian airspace.

In its statement yesterday, Mindef said that Singapore's Minister of State for Defence, Mr Matthias Yao, had given Parliament a comprehensive response on the subject on Oct 12.

It added: "Mindef categorically denies these latest allegations."

Mindef reiterated its position on the allegations:

Malaysian allegation: Privileges given to the RSAF had to be withdrawn after the RSAF broke its promise and breached regulations.

Mindef's response: RSAF aircraft had not intruded into Malaysian airspace.

The RSAF had always adhered strictly to the terms and conditions covering RSAF flights in Malaysian airspace.

The agreements covering such flights had been concluded in the spirit of bilateral co-operation and for mutual benefit.

Under these agreements, Malaysian pilots were allowed to use RSAF flight simulators and the RSAF had carried out search-and-rescue operations when Malaysian pilots were in distress.

On Sept 18, Malaysia unilaterally terminated these agreements without consultation and requisite notice.

Malaysian allegation: RSAF jets regularly intruded into Malaysian airspace after the privileges were withdrawn.

Mindef's response: Malaysia sent a Third Party Note a week ago, alleging six incidents of RSAF intrusions after Malaysian airspace was closed off to the RSAF.

Mindef's investigations found the claims to be without basis.

For the first three alleged intrusions, RSAF showed that none of its jets was flying at the times on the date alleged.

For the next two cases, the aircraft concerned were not RSAF aircraft.

In the final case, the RSAF aircraft did not overfly or circle over the Malaysian Navy Recruit Training Centre, as alleged.

Singapore has officially responded and rejected these allegations, just as it has done so in previous cases, said Mindef.

It added: "Singapore wants good defence relations with Malaysia. We are ready to continue with bilateral and multilateral military activities with Malaysia when they are ready to do so and at a pace that Malaysia is comfortable with."

Malaysia sticks to its position:

IN KUALA LUMPUR yesterday, Malaysia's Defence Minister stood firm on the allegations of RSAF aircraft intrusions into Malaysian airspace, and said the statements were based on fact.

"We never pluck any defence statements from the sky," said Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.

Bernama reported him as saying it was "usual" for Singapore to deny such accusations as it did not want to look bad in front of Singaporeans in facing allegations of wrongdoing.

Malaysians, he said, should accept any statement from their government as true and accurate and not give any credence to denials by others.

Bernama said: "Datuk Syed Hamid expressed the hope that this episode of allegations and counter-allegations would stop."

Published in the Straits Times. Oct 23, 1998