Singapore airspace shrinking: Indonesia takes over

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An honorable member of the Coffee Shop Has Just Posted the Following:

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/...r/2113898.html

JAKARTA: Indonesia's government is set to take over control of the airspace above the Riau Islands from Singapore, the Jakarta Globe reported on Tuesday (Sep 8).

According to the newspaper, the issue was discussed during a cabinet meeting after lawmakers called for action on the matter following the Indonesian military’s “complaints about the city-state's alleged violations with its fighter-jet drills and its protests against Indonesian military aircraft presence in the area”.

Indonesia Transport Minister Ignasius Jonan said that President Joko Widodo “has instructed us to prepare better equipment, better personnel over the next three or four years so that we can take over the management of our own airspace, which has been hitherto delegated to Singapore".

Mr Jonan said that Singapore had been in control of flights in the airspace above Riau Islands - including Batam, Tanjungpinang, Bintan and the Natuna islands - since 1946.

“We also will talk with Singapore and Malaysia. And when we're ready, we'll take over the airspace,” Mr Jonan told the Jakarta Globe.

The bilateral pact, which allowed the Singapore military to conduct activities in the airspace above the Riau Islands, expired in 2001 and has never been renewed, reported the Jakarta Globe.

On the other hand, Singapore has “repeatedly protested Indonesian military aircraft presence in the area, claiming they must first obtain clearance from the Singaporean authorities before they can fly through the zone”.

This, according to the Jakarta Globe, has “triggered the ire” of Indonesian military officials and lawmakers.

"WE NEED TO SHOW OUR FORCE"

Citing an interview with the commander of the Indonesian Air Force base in Tanjung Pinang in the news portal detik.com, the Jakarta Globe reported LTC I Ketut Wahyu Wijaya as saying that Indonesia was “helpless to stop the situation”.

“The MTA agreement has expired,” he said. "It hasn't been extended yet, but they've continued to conduct drills over there to date.”

LTC Wahayu said it was “completely necessary for the TNI to increase its presence in the area”. He said: “The first thing we need to do is show our force, therefore they'll be worried about coming. That's the early step that we must do to take over the FIR.”

However he noted that the Indonesia military had “difficulties” sending the Singapore planes back because of a shortage of fighter-jets. The Jakarta Globe reported LTC Wahayu as saying that Indonesia’s “limited fleet does not compare with Singapore's F-5 and F-16 jetfighters which have often been spotted doing the drills.”

He said: “That's why we have to have at least four jet-fighters on guard in Riau Islands. The problem is, such a military presence needs supporting facilities, and the provincial capital Tanjung Pinang is still lacking.”

According to the Jakarta Globe, Singapore “believes it has a right to continue conducting military drills in Indonesian airspace within the FIR and protests any Indonesian military aircraft's presence in the zone unless they have secured a clearance from Singaporean authorities.”

LTC Wahayu said the Air Traffic Control at Tanjung Pinang airport has received complaints from the Singaporean authorities when an Indonesia aircraft enters the FIR.

“I told the ATC, 'Why should you be afraid? You're the one who is supposed to throw a machete at them. That is our airspace',” the Jakarta Globe reported LTC Wahayu as saying. “How come we have to seek permission from our neighbour to enter our own home?”

He added: “The first thing we need to do is show our force, therefore they'll be worried about coming. That's the early step that we must do to take over the FIR.”


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