KL condemns S'pore-Israel deal

Tue, 20 Jul 1999 | Source: AP

KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Malaysia has scolded Singapore for purchasing Israeli guided missiles, saying the defense pact was inconsiderate and made Malaysia not "feel good", news reports said on Monday.

Malaysian deputy defense minister Abdullah Fadzil Che Wan acknowledged that Malaysia could not interfere in another nation's policies but said Singapore should be more sensitive to Malaysia's feelings, particularly regarding Israel.

Malaysia, which has had no ties with Israel since 1967, has been involved recently in a number of nagging disputes with Singapore. Spats have erupted over issues including military airspace, a border crossing and a deal under which Malaysia supplies more than half of Singapore's water.

Singapore's armed forces announced last week that it had bolstered its arsenal with the purchase of Spike anti-tank guided missiles, capable of destroying armored targets up to 4 kilometers away.

"Singapore's navy is also understood to be armed with the vertical-launch, anti-aircraft guided missile Barak, named after Ehud Barak, Israel's new prime minister," Bernama reported.

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