Singapore rebuts Malaysia's statement over Seletar Airport flight procedures

Singapore's Seletar Airport. – The Straits Times/ANN

SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): The Singaporean ministry of transport on Monday (Dec 10) claims that the documents it made public on Dec 4 with regard to flight procedures for Seletar Airport – the Instrument Landing System (ILS) procedures – were in response to media queries as to whether the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) had consulted its Malaysian counterpart in December 2017.

The queries arose from Malaysia's claim earlier that day that the matter had only come to its attention two months ago, in October 2018.

The ministry's clarification came a few hours after Malaysia's Transport Ministry said on Monday (Dec 10) that the disclosure by the Singapore transport ministry was "only partial and selective with the primary aim of influencing public opinion".

In its statement, the Malaysian Transport Ministry said that while it appreciates the Singaporean ministry's efforts at promoting transparency, it should also release the letters from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) to its Singaporean counterpart.

These letters were dated Oct 9, Nov 15 and Nov 28.

"Failing to do so, we are prepared to release the letters for full disclosure of such information for the public's comprehension of our stand on the same," the Malaysian Transport Ministry said.

In response, Singapore's transport ministry said: "Singapore's view is that it would be useful for negotiations to be kept confidential to facilitate frank and constructive exchanges. This is why we have not released any other correspondence between Singapore and Malaysia on this matter. The Malaysia Minister for Transport, Anthony Loke, had expressed a similar view on Dec 4, 2018."

The ministry added: "Nonetheless, we have no objection if Malaysia feels the need to release correspondence on this matter."

However, for transparency, the Malaysian Transport Ministry should ensure that all correspondence and records of discussions between Singapore and Malaysia be published, including the record of discussion of the latest meeting between the two countries on Nov 29 and 30. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network