Sarawak gov’t concerned over China military aircraft near Malaysian airspace

A plane with a Chinese flag on its tail is seen in this handout picture, May 31, 2021, obtained by Reuters June 2, 2021. Royal Malaysian Air Force/Handout via REUTERS

KUCHING — The Sarawak government has expressed its concern over this week’s incident in which 16 Chinese military aircraft were detected near Malaysian airspace.

“This incident occurred just over the Luconia Shoals located about 110km off the coast of Sarawak,” the Chief Minister’s Office said in a statement on Thursday (June 3).

It said the state government fully supported the steps taken by the Federal Government over the May 31 incident, including summoning the Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia for an explanation.

“It is pertinent that serious action be taken by the Federal Government to ensure such incidents do not recur in the future to protect and uphold the sovereignty, dignity and integrity of the country,” the statement added.

In a statement on Tuesday (June 1), the Royal Malaysian Air Force said it detected 16 People’s Liberation Army Air Force aircraft entering Malaysian Maritime Zone airspace and that they were flying close to Malaysian national airspace.

RMAF said the 16 planes were detected flying in a tactical formation around 60 nautical miles (111km) from each other.

Subsequently on June 1, Wisma Putra said it had summoned Chinese Ambassador Ouyang Yujing for an explanation.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein also said Wisma Putra would issue a diplomatic note of protest over the incident.