Jumaat, 8 Julai 2011

Singapore's Fighter Jets Merely Fly Over Batu Putih For Training - RMAF


KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 (Bernama) -- The intrusions of the Malaysian airspace by Singapore's fighter jets occurred only over Pulau Batu Puteh, according a preliminary investigation by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).

RMAF chief Gen Tan Sri Rodzali Daud said the invasions were linked to the decisions of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the sovereignty of the island.

"At our end, the technical committee is still deliberating on the encroachments.

"No final decision has been made, except for filing diplomatic protests over the invasions," he said when met while accompanying Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who earlier received Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean here today.

Teo, who is also Singapore Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, ended a three-day official visit to Malaysia today.

On May 23, 2008, the ICJ at The Hague in the Netherlands awarded sovereignty of Pulau Batu Puteh, the strategic tiny lighthouse island near the Malaysian shore, to Singapore after a 28-year-long dispute with Malaysia.

Rodzali said the incursions did not pose a threat to Malaysia's security as the Republic of Singapore Air Force's fighter jets were merely carrying out training over the island.

Earlier, when asked about the invasions, Ahmad Zahid said the matter was being dealt by the Foreign Ministry and diplomatic protests had been sent to Singapore.

In a written response to Member of Parliament for Rembau Khairy Jamaluddin at the Dewan Rakyat last week, Ahmad Zahid said Singapore's fighter jets encroached the Malaysian airspace 2,508 times in the last four years.

-- BERNAMA