SINGAPORE DENIES RSAF AIRCRAFT VIOLATED MALAYSIAN AIRSPACE

Singapore's investigations have not found
any incident of Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) aircraft violating
international air traffic rules or entering into Malaysian airspace without
permission, the Singapore High Commission here said in a statement Sunday night.

The statement said that in the majority of the alleged violations, no
aircraft were flying and where flights did exist, a number of them were
non-Singaporean commercial aircraft flying over Malaysia according to
international air traffic rules and regulations.

"Singapore has shared its findings with Malaysian officials previously, and
we stand ready to exchange information to clear up any doubts over the alleged
violations," it said.

The statement said Singapore and Malaysia shared longstanding defence
ties and had worked well to ensure regional peace and stability.

"Singapore hopes to continue to work with Malaysia to enhance our bilateral
defence relationship," it added.

The statement was issued in response to the alleged violations by the
republic's aircraft into Malaysian airspace.

Last week, Defence Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, in his written reply to
MP Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar in parliament, said a total of 2,508 air space
encroachments by Singapore air force planes over Malaysia's air space were
detected since 2008, and Malaysia had made diplomatic protests over the air
violations.