The Transport Ministry (MOT) is closely monitoring the latest volcanic developments at Mount Ruang, Indonesia which was reported to have erupted three times yesterday, spewing lava with ash spreading as far as Malaysia.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said thus far, the eruption of Mount Ruang has affected some airspace in Tawau, Sabah, causing some flights to the district to be diverted to Kota Kinabalu yesterday.
He said any decision, including the closure of airspace and any national airport, would be decided by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) taking into account safety factors.
“CAAM has the right to make decisions if there is a need to close national airspace and airports. That is their authority, not the minister, (and) they only need to inform the minister of the decision.
“However, if the situation (eruption) does not affect our airspace, why close it and I think the act of closing the airport is only the last step that will be taken if necessary,” he said, here, today.
