Malaysia's desire to take back airspace 'not a straightforward decision': Khaw Boon Wan
Malaysia's desire to
reclaim the airspace in southern Johor is not a "straightforward decision", said Singapore's Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan on Tuesday (Dec 4).
Malaysia's Transport Minister Anthony Loke had brought up the topic in parliament earlier Tuesday, saying Malaysia would discuss its plans in greater detail with Singapore and, if necessary, refer to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for further advice.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Khaw said that the Malaysian authorities had earlier informed the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore of its intention to take back the airspace, citing "sovereignty issues and so on".
Malaysia had protested a new Instrument Landing System (ILS) at Singapore's Seletar Airport to be used by turboprops and business jets. The flight path would lead to height limits on building development and affect shipping operations in Johor, Mr Loke had said.
However, Singapore's Ministry of Transport said in response that the ILS aligns with existing flight profiles into Seletar Airport which "have been used for decades".
The current airspace arrangements were agreed upon in 1973 by states in the region, including Singapore and Malaysia. A bilateral agreement was then signed between Malaysia and Singapore in 1974.
"But as you know, airspace management has nothing to do with sovereignty," said Mr Khaw. "In fact, many countries have their airspace - or at least part of their airspace - managed by other countries."
Mr Khaw said airspace management is "very much about safety and efficiency".
"We note Malaysia's desire to take back the airspace, but as you know, this is a very congested airspace, probably one of the most complex airspaces in the world ... So it is not a straightforward decision to just change the status quo."
Mr Khaw said that ICAO procedures and processes indicate that any change must improve the status quo.
"If it doesn't, what is the point of changing? The criteria for improvement are safety and efficiency. Does it make it safer? Does it make it more efficient? Otherwise, why change?" said Mr Khaw.
Now that Malaysia has proposed a change, there must be "proper consultation" with the
many stakeholders involved, he added.
Read more at
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/new...back-airspace-khaw-boon-wan-response-10996012
Wah, Khaw is certainly very "diplomatic." He essentially tells Mudland that they can't manage the airspace.