INVASION OF MALAYSIAN AIR SPACE (Threat of retaliatory action)

Mr Tay Beng Chuan asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence whether there is any apparent threat arising from recent statements by Malaysia that it will not compromise on any invasion of its air space and will take appropriate action if necessary; and (b) whether the Republic of Singapore Air Force has any safeguards in place should retaliatory actions take place.

The Minister of State for Defence (Mr Matthias Yao Chih) (for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence): Mr Speaker, Sir, I believe the hon. Member is referring to a number of statements over the past month made by the Malaysian Defence Minister, Datuk Syed Hamid Albar. On 26th October and again on 10th November this year, Datuk Syed Hamid told the Malaysian Parliament that the RMAF would mobilise its fighters "to take appropriate action" if there was any intrusion into Malaysia's airspace by the RSAF. Datuk Syed Hamid was also quoted by the Malaysian press as having said, on 2nd November, that although Malaysia had the right to fire missiles at aircraft which intruded into its airspace, it preferred to apply pressure through public opinion. He cited the case of a South Korean airliner that was shot down by a Soviet Union military aircraft after it strayed into Soviet airspace - an incident which resulted in a huge loss of innocent lives.

Sir, Malaysia had, in official protests, alleged that there were seven intrusions by the RSAF since 18th September this year, when Malaysia revoked the arrangements and agreements which allowed the RSAF access to Malaysian airspace. No supporting information was provided to substantiate any of the allegations. Singapore categorically rejects all these allegations as being completely without basis. Our investigations showed that three of the cases involved aircraft of other countries. Two of them were transiting through Malaysian airspace with proper diplomatic clearance given by the Malaysian authorities while the third was a civil aircraft. In another three cases, there were no RSAF aircraft flying at the times and places stated in the Malaysian Third Person Note. The last case involved an RSAF Fokker 50 maritime patrol aircraft coming into Changi Air Base, but the aircraft did not overfly or circle over the Navy Recruit Training Base as alleged. Singapore has already responded officially to Malaysia to conclusively rebut the allegations. We have also asked for substantiating evidence if Malaysia insists that the intrusions did occur. It is not reasonable to keep on repeating the allegations without providing any details to substantiate them.

Singapore recognises that Malaysia, like any other country, has the right to take actions to defend itself against hostile action and to protect its sovereignty. As I have explained, there were no intrusions by RSAF aircraft in the instances alleged by Malaysia. The RSAF is extremely careful about not intruding into the airspace of other countries. But it is not possible to guarantee that there will not be accidental infringements, especially when Singapore's airspace is so tight and we share a common border. Sometimes adverse weather conditions cause aircraft to stray off-course. And no air force in the world can guarantee that its pilots will never make navigational errors. Earlier this year, there was one instance when RSAF aircraft accidentally strayed into Malaysian airspace - and we apologised to Malaysia.

Mr Speaker, Sir, threats to scramble RMAF aircraft to deal with RSAF intrusions and assertions of the right to shoot missiles to bring down intruding aircraft are, to say the least, most unfortunate - particularly when reference is made to a fighter of the former Soviet air force shooting down a civilian aircraft that had been misidentified. Such statements are especially unfortunate considering that Singapore and Malaysia are friendly neighbours interested in cooperation for mutual benefit as the two Prime Ministers have recently underscored. We should be trying to clear up any misunderstandings instead of making statements which raise tensions and increase the likelihood that a dangerous situation might arise. As Minister Syed Hamid himself has stated, it is dangerous to "play games" in defence matters as doing so could lead to a very dangerous consequence.

Mr Speaker, Sir, let me reiterate that we would like to have good defence relations with Malaysia. We are ready to resume defence interactions when Malaysia is ready to do so and at a pace the Malaysians are comfortable with.

Mr Zulkifli Bin Baharudin: I would like to ask the Minister of State whether he would consider asking the Malaysian Government to withdraw, change or clarify its position with regard to the recent expression of better relationship. How can we go on with cooperative efforts when these threats are existing at the moment?

Mr Matthias Yao Chih: I think the Member has to raise this in the Malaysian Parliament, if he can.