S'pore planes, ships 'in Malaysia'

S'pore planes, ships 'in Malaysia'

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysia said on Thursday that Singapore aircraft and vessels had entered Malaysian territory without permission at least seven times in two weeks.

The government, citing noise and pollution problems and public concern, said on Sept. 17 that Singapore Air Force planes could no longer enter Malaysian airspace without authorization.

Defense Minister Syed Hamid Albar later indicated that the restriction also applied to Singapore ships, although Singapore said it had received no notice from its neighbor about curbs on vessels.

Malaysia has never spelled out whether the restrictions on ships apply only to military vessels and the minister did not elaborate on this point.