Hisham : RMAF Aircraft was not Intercepted by Indonesian Fighter Jets
Petaling Jaya, 22 Ramadan 1437/28 June 2016 (MINA) – Indonesian fighter jets did not intercept the RMAF’s C-130 over the Natuna Islands, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein
“It was a mere visual identification of our aircraft.
“An interception warrants the forcing down of RMAF aircraft which did not occur,” Hishammuddin was quoted by thestar.com a saying in a statement.
He said he had received a detailed brief from RMAF chief Tan Sri Roslan Saad on the incident involving two Tentera Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU) F-16 jets and a RMAF’s C130, call signed Mega 207, on Saturday.
“It must be noted that Mega 207 was not intercepted by TNI-AU,” he said.
Hishammuddin said Mega 207 departed from Subang Air Force Base at 10.10am for a scheduled training mission with a pre-determined flight plan towards Labuan Air Force Base.
At 12.03pm, the aircraft received a visual identification from a TNI-AU, 24 nautical miles from Natuna Islands at a height of 23,000 feet.
“The second TNI-AU was 1 nautical mile behind Mega 207 at a height of 22,900 feet according to the Traffic Collision Avoidance System onboard Mega 207.
“All attempts from Mega 207 to contact both TNI-AU fighter jets failed to receive a response. Both TNI-AU then dispersed from the airspace without any further incidents,” he said.
Hishammuddin added that the incident would not be taken lightly and Malaysia would continue using the route without any reservations.
“As far as Malaysia is concerned, Mega 207 conducted the scheduled training mission on a pre-determined flight route, in accordance with a flight plan that has been sent using the usual Standard Operating Procedure.
“We also fully emphasize that the safety of the flight is to be fully observed at all times when flying in the internationally recognised airways.
“I have given full mandate to the RMAF chief to take whatever action is needed to operationalise our rights on using this route and continue to work closely with his counterpart in Indonesia,” he said.
“Malaysia has the right of continuous, expeditious and unobstructed overflight through the airspace based on the treaty between Malaysia and the Indonesia relating to the legal regime of archipelagic State and the rights of Malaysia in the territorial sea and archipelagic waters, as well as in the airspace above the territorial sea, archipelagic waters and the territory of the Indonesia lying between East and West Malaysia,” he said.
Hishammuddin said the treaty clearly states the right of military aircraft to conduct aerial manoeuvres, including tactical exercises, through the airspace above the territorial sea, archipelagic waters and the territory of Indonesia, provided in the course of tactical exercises no firing of weapons is permitted.
“Moving forward diplomatically, I will bring this issue up directly with Indonesia Defence Minister General (retired) Ryamizard Ryacudu, when I see him next month in Jakarta, Indonesia to convey Malaysia’s concern.
“While we share a close relationship, issues like this must be discussed in the open to ensure mutual understanding at all levels in both countries,” he said (T/R07/R01)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
