Parliamentary Statements
Written Reply by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen to Parliamentary Question on the Royal Malaysian Police Helicopter in Singapore's Airspace
5 October 2021
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Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong: To ask the Minister for Defence (a) whether any Malaysian Police helicopter entered Singapore's airspace in September 2021; (b) if so, what follow-up actions were taken by Singapore; and (c) whether any diplomatic note of protest was issued.
Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen:
On 11 September 2021, a Royal Malaysian Police helicopter was travelling in a south-easterly direction towards Tanjung Pengelih in southern Johor when it entered Singapore's territorial airspace above the eastern part of Pulau Tekong without approval.
During the helicopter's approach, the RSAF had issued calls to it to keep clear of our airspace, but there was no reply. RSAF F-16 aircraft were scrambled to investigate. After determining that our security was not compromised, the F-16 aircraft were stood down. The RSAF conducts 24/7 surveillance of Singapore's skies to detect and respond to potential air threats. It responds to more than 350 such incidents every year.
Our Ministry of Home Affairs has registered with their Malaysian counterparts our concern over the Royal Malaysian Police helicopter's unauthorised entry.