KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will send a note of protest to Singapore over its new Instrument Landing System (ILS) at its Seletar Airport's.
The ILS had been linked to the barring of Malaysia's budget airline operator Firefly from relocating to the airport.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said that this is because such publication of the ILS in the island state's Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) is required under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
He said that such publication is necessary as ILS provides the 'entry way' that guarantees the accuracy and efficiency of flights and increase the chances of landing an airline at the airport.
"Without the publication of the new ILS guidelines for the Seletar Airport in Singapore's AIP, then the 'entry way' is incomplete and cannot be used.
"If the publication of the new ILS is allowed, it would jeopardise the development around Pasir Gudang as each building or structure there need to abide by height restrictions imposed by international standards.
"The publication of the ILS would also jeopardise shipping operations around Pasir Gudang port.
"To ensure the sovereignty of the country's (Malaysia) airspace and ensure development at Pasir Gudang, is not jeopardised, the government has made the decision to not allow Singapore to publish the new ILS.
"This decision has been conveyed to Singapore on Nov 28 and 29, 2018. However, Singapore published the ILS guideline on Dec 1, 2018, and enforceable on Jan 3, 2019, without permission from the Malaysian government.
"The publication violates with the principle of the country's sovereignty per the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention) 1944.
"As a result, the Malaysian government, through the Foreign Ministry, will issue a note of protest immediately to Singapore," he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
Loke was replying to a question from Hassan Abdul Karim (PH-PKR-Pasir Gudang) over the government's response to Singapore's move to boost development at Seletar Airport, which may jeopardise development around Pasir Gudang.
Seletar Airport is located a mere 2km from the Malaysian border at Johor.
On Nov 24, it was reported that Firefly was unable to obtain approval from Malaysia’s regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), to operate from Seletar Airport.
In a statement, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said that Firefly informed Changi Airport Group (CAG) - the operator of Seletar Airport - of this on Nov 14.