Malaysia, Singapore to discuss airspace dispute on Jan 8

KUANTAN (Bernama): The dispute between Malaysia and Singapore over airspace will be discussed on Jan 8, says Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.

He said the issue would be discussed during his meeting with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.

He added that airspace was also one of the issues that were discussed in the meeting between Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean in Putrajaya on Monday (Dec 31).

“My visit to Singapore is a continuation of the meeting yesterday. There are several issues, but the one that must be given immediate attention is Singapore's plans for the Seletar Airport that will pass through the airspace over Pasir Gudang, Johor.

“We protested and declared the airspace a restricted area, and this will be a problem to Singapore. I am confident the issue will be discussed well to find a win-win solution for both countries,” he said on Tuesday (Jan 1).

Saifuddin, who is also Indera Mahkota MP, was speaking to reporters after visiting SMK Astana here. Also present was Pahang Education Director Dr Tajuddin Mohd Yunus.

Malaysia wants Singapore to withdraw its plans to implement the Instrument Landing System (ILS) or change the flight path to its Seletar Airport.

On Dec 12, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the flight path for Seletar Airport would have a huge impact on Pasir Gudang because of the height restrictions on development there.

He said the Pasir Gudang Port would also be at high risk and there would be restrictions on the landing system. – Bernama