By BERNAMA / Pic By MUHD AMIN NAHARUL

The dispute between Malaysia and Singapore over airspace will be discussed on Jan 8, said Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah (picture).

He said the issue would be discussed during his meeting with his Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan.

He added that airspace was also one of the issues that was discussed in the meeting between Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean in Putrajaya yesterday.

“My visit to Singapore is a continuation of the meeting yesterday. There are several issues, but the one that must be given immediate attention is Singapore’s plans for the Seletar Airport, which will pass through the airspace over Pasir Gudang, Johor.

“We protested and declared the airspace a restricted area, and this will be a problem to Singapore. I am confident the issue will be discussed well to find a win-win solution for both countries,” he said.

Saifuddin, who is also Indera Mahkota MP, was speaking to reporters after visiting SMK Astana in Pahang yesterday. Also present was Pahang education director Dr Tajuddin Mohd Yunus.

Malaysia wants Singapore to withdraw its plans to implement the Instrument Landing System or change the flight path to its Seletar Airport.

On Dec 12, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the flight path to Seletar Airport would have a huge impact on the development in Pasir Gudang because of the height restrictions on the development there.

He said the Pasir Gudang Port would also be at high risk and there would be restrictions on the landing system. — Bernama