REFUSAL OF AIRSPACE OVER MALAYSIA TO PLANES FROM SINGAPORE'S FLYING CLUBS

Dr Lee Siew-Choh asked the Minister for Communications and Information whether he is aware of the refusal by the Malaysian Government of airspace over Malaysia to planes from Singapore's flying clubs and if he will make a statement.

The Minister of State for Communications and Information (Mr Mah Bow Tan) (for the Minister for Communications and Information): Mr Speaker, Sir, from 17th August 1989, the Malaysian Department of Civil Aviation stopped giving the Singapore Flying College clearance to fly in Malaysian airspace. From 28th October 1989, flights by the Singapore Flying Club were also stopped. However, so far the Malaysian government has not officially informed the Singapore Government of the closure of its airspace to the Flying Club and the Flying College, or of its reasons for doing so.

The Flying Club is a private hobby club. The Flying College is a commercial undertaking for training pilots. They are both not government organisations. They have informed the Government that until the ban, each time they used Malaysian airspace, they had notified the Malaysian aviation authorities in accordance with the requirements of the Malaysian Aeronautical Information Publication.

The Flying College has requested the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) to appeal to the Malaysian authorities to allow flights to resume. CAAS has done so, and is now awaiting a reply from the Malaysians.

Dr Lee Siew-Choh (Non-Constituency Member): Has the Minister of State noted the reported reasons for refusing permission for the Flying Club to fly in Malaysian airspace, Sir?

Mr Mah Bow Tan: Sir, the Government has not received any complaint from the Malaysian authorities about Singapore aircraft flying over Malaysian airspace. It does not, as a matter of policy, comment on press reports on this matter.

Dr Lee Siew-Choh: These reports were made very public and normally the Government's PR representatives are very quick at noting these things down and giving a reply in the newspapers. How is it that nothing has been done on this matter?

Mr Mah Bow Tan: Sir, as I indicated just now, we have not received any official complaint, so we cannot comment on this matter.

Dr Lee Siew-Choh: Sir, in view of the seriousness of the allegations in the press reports, does not the Government think it would be advisable to make a statement as silence might indicate agreement with whatever that has been said in the newspapers?

Mr Speaker: Order. Dr Lee, I think your question is out of order. According to Standing Orders, a question shall not be asked as to whether statements in the press are accurate. Do you have any further questions?

Dr Lee Siew-Choh: No, Sir.