ZMM AIR SPACE INTRUSION BY PLAAF – MALAYSIA NEEDS TO OFFICIALLY PROTEST

We urge the Malaysian government to send an official protest against the incident of 16 Air Force aircraft the People’s Republic of China/ People’s Liberation Army- Air Force (PLAAF) enters the airspace
ZMM, Kota Kinabalu FIR and approaching national airspace on 31 May 2021.

According to a statement from the Malaysian Air Force, the incident was detected by Air Defense Radar RMAF from the Air Defense Center (CRC 2) in Sarawak at 1153H.

Clearly, it was reported that the planes had been detected flying in an in-trail tactical formation at a distance of 60 miles nautical is a serious intimidation.

Ways and movements of tactical flight formations with patents and the same direction using a single point of entry and exit, does indeed carry a certain meaning.

It is impossible for the PLAAF to send 16 of its aircraft into national airspace if there is no reasonable military reason for it.

The planes have been detected flying at altitude, speed and space which is feared to threaten NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY.

Though the RMAF has placed Hawk 208 aircraft from No. 6 Squadron, Labuan Air Base in a state of readiness through the RMAF’s Suspicious Operation, however this indicates that Malaysian airspace is now vulnerable to serious intrusion.

We record a well done note to the monitoring the national air defense, RMAF, which has launched interceptor aircraft rapidly to identify the aircraft are of the type Ilyushin Il-76 and Xian Y-20 aircraft.

According to the RMAF, these types of aircraft are strategic transport aircraft and capable of performing various missions.

As stated by the RMAF this incident is a serious matter against the sovereignty and
National security.

Therefore the government needs to act fast. Do not only respond until the sovereignty of the country is challenged by foreign countries.

We saw this incident more seriously when Israeli intelligence planes were allowed to fly in Malaysian airspace last week. Now Chinese air force planes are intruding the country’s airspace.

What exactly is the intention of these two countries towards Malaysia , needs to be thoroughly investigated.

The government cannot let this incident go unchecked.

The government should immediately deliver a protest to China and not compromise on Chinese military operations that could be seen as provocative.

We insist the region cannot be allowed to be a battleground of conflict between the great powers.

Malaysia cannot be allowed to a subject to the maneuvers of superpowers.

If the country’s airspace is now the route of foreign air force aircraft, Malaysia can be trapped in the hegemony of the superpowers that have interests.

Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid
President of MAPIM