Malaysia, Indonesia commit to resolve airspace issue

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia and Indonesia have expressed their commitment to resolve the long-standing airspace issue between the two neighbouring countries, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The Transport Minister said the flight information region (FIR) issue was the main point of discussion in the bilateral meeting he had with his Indonesian counterpart Budi Karya Sumadi on Monday (May 16), ahead of the Changi Aviation Summit in Singapore.

“Our main discussion centred on the flight information region (FIR) concerning both our countries and we are both committed to resolving the longstanding issue.

“The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) will pursue further technical discussion with their Indonesian counterpart for resolution,” said Dr Wee in a Facebook post on Monday (May 16).

Dr Wee also said the meeting touched on the pilot project on Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (Corsia).

“As Malaysia is participating in the pilot project on Corsia to fulfil the Sustainable Development Goal of reducing carbon emissions by 40%, we will also seek ways to work with Indonesia in palm oil research as an alternative fuel under Corsia,” Dr Wee wrote.

Among those in the Malaysian delegation were CEO of CAAM Datuk Capt Chester Voo, Malaysian Aviation Commission executive chairman Datuk Seri Saripuddin Kasim and Malaysia’s Permanent Representative to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Flora Chin.

The Indonesian delegation was also joined by Ambassador of Indonesia to Singapore Suryo Pratomo, director-general for Asia Pacific and African Affairs Mr Abdul Kadir Jailani, director-general of legal affairs and international treaties Laurentius Amrih Jinangkung and director of air navigation for the Civil Aviation Directorate-General Capt Sigit Hari Hadiyanto.