SINGAPORE'S FIGHTER JETS MERELY FLY OVER BATU PUTIH FOR TRAINING - RMAF

KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 (Bernama) -- The intrusions of the Malaysian airspace
by Singapore's fighter jets occurred only over Pulau Batu Puteh, according a
preliminary investigation by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).

RMAF chief Gen Rodzali Daud said the invasions were linked to the
decisions of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the sovereignty of
the island.

"At our end, the technical committee is still deliberating on the
encroachments.

"No final decision has been made, except for filing diplomatic protests over
the invasions," he said when met while accompanying Defence Minister Dr Ahmad
Zahid Hamidi, who earlier received Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Teo
Chee Hean here Thursday.

Teo, who is also Singapore Coordinating Minister for National Security and
Minister for Home Affairs, ended a three-day official visit to Malaysia
Thursday.

On May 23, 2008, the ICJ at The Hague in the Netherlands awarded sovereignty
of Pulau Batu Puteh, the strategic tiny lighthouse island near the Malaysian
shore, to Singapore after a 28-year-long dispute with Malaysia.

Rodzali said the incursions did not pose a threat to Malaysia's security as
the Republic of Singapore Air Force's fighter jets were merely carrying out
training over the island.

Earlier, when asked about the invasions, Ahmad Zahid said the matter was
being dealt by the Foreign Ministry and diplomatic protests had been sent to
Singapore.

In a written response to Member of Parliament Khairy Jamaluddin
at the House of Representatives last week, Ahmad Zahid said Singapore's fighter
jets encroached the Malaysian airspace 2,508 times in the last four years.

-- BERNAMA