Malaysia has counterproposals for Singapore airport’s ILS, says Loke

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is ready to discuss alternative and counterproposals regarding the new Instrument Landing System (ILS) at Seletar Airport with Singapore.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said Malaysia was against the move, which would use Johor’s airspace.

“Our stand is clear. Our side, through the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, can sit down and discuss the matter with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore on counter proposals and measures to resolve the issue.

“We have alternatives and counterproposals on the matter, but we cannot allow any approach taken towards flying through Pasir Gudang,” he said after chairing the National Aviation Council yesterday.

Loke was reported as saying that the government, through the Foreign Ministry, would issue a note of protest to Singapore over ILS at its Seletar Airport.

It was reported that if the publication of ILS is allowed, it would jeopardise the development in Pasir Gudang as each building or structure there needs to abide by height restrictions. Shipping operations around Pasir Gudang port may also be affected.

Malaysia’s decision against the ILS at the Seletar Airport had been conveyed to Singapore on Nov 28 and 29.

Singapore, however, published the ILS guidelines on Dec 1 and enforceable on Jan 3 without permission from Malaysia.

On Singaporean Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan’s statement that the management of airspace had nothing to do with sovereignty after Malaysia had signalled that it wanted to reclaim its rights to run the airspace over southern Johor, Loke said the sovereignty issue was raised regarding the use of ILS via Johor airspace.

“If one wants to publish ILS using Malaysian skies, of course Malaysia should be referred to. If Malaysia is not being consulted, it means our sovereignty has been challenged.”

Loke said part of the airspace management in southern Johor had been delegated to Singapore since 1974 without any mention of a time period.

“The airspace is ours. Once we have reached certain capabilities and built capacity via the new traffic control centre at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, we feel it is time to hold discussions to review the matter.

“I am not saying it will be done immediately like next month to reclaim (the airspace management). There are steps to be taken as it involves air security and monitoring.”