Singapore Also Can

Remaking of S'pore pays off

Apr 30, 2010

By Joyce Teo

THE implementation of Singapore's plans to remake Singapore has improved the quality of life for people.

National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said a lifestyle survey conducted recently by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) offered encouraging results.

Among some 4,000 respondents surveyed through face-to-face interviews, more than 80 per cent agreed that Singapore is a great place to live, work and play in.

Over 90 per cent of them said they were satisfied with the living environment, over 85 per cent were satisfied withthe working environment while over 80 per cent were satisfied with the leisure offerings here.

Mr Mah pointed out that close to 90 per cent of the respondents say that Singapore is their home and where they belong.

'The survey results are showing a positive trend - that Singaporeans love their city more,' he said.

The survey also pointed out areas that can be improved such as Singapore's nightlife offering.

Strong sense of belonging

Apr 30, 2010

By Lin Yingxin

SINGAPOREANS have a strong sense of belonging to their country, a lifestyle survey by the Urban Redevelopment Authority has shown.

Of the 4,000 interviewed for the survey carried out from August last eyar to March this year, 89.8 per cent of the respondents declared Singapore is their home, 73.5 per cent said they would retire in Singapore and 71 per cent hope that their future generations will stay on here.

The top three places that hold the fondest memories for the respondents are the housing estates, national icons and destinations, as well as conservation places and old buildings. Parks and greenery across the island state also make Singapore special.

More than 72 per cent of respondents are satisfied with the conservation of heritage buildings and areas in Singapore. They find the distinctive architecture and building style, rich history and heritage, as well as the traditional trades and activities appealing.

However, 73.2 per cent felt that the physical landscape in Singapore changes too quickly, and 64.2 per cent felt that not enough familiar buildings and places are conserved. Most feel that familiar places should be kept as they contribute strongly to their sense of belonging.

Amenities, parks and greenery, as well as commercial centres were held up as the top three aspects that are most important to the identity of a neighbourhood. Almost all respondents agreed that hawker centres should be maintained as one of the key amenities in housing estates.

The full report of the surveys is available on the URA website at http://spring.ura.gov.sg/conceptplan2011

Foreigners find S'pore vibrant

Apr 30, 2010


MOST foreigners are happy staying in Singapore and find the city state vibrant and exciting, and are attracted here by the clean and safe environment.

They even like the hot and humid climate in tropical Singapore, which they feel has its own distinctive character, with the greenery contributing strongly to its identity.

A lifestyle survey carried out by the Urban Redevelopment Authority and released on Friday, showed that most foreigners are generally satisfied with the top five facilities they mostly use - supermarket, shopping centres and shopping malls, financial services (banks and STM), coffeeshops, hawker centres and food courts, and restaurants and cafes.

Nearly 93 per cent of the respondents said they are satisfied or very satisfied with the living environment in Singapore, in terms of essential facilities such as health-care and transport, variety of housing types and design of residential environment.

Most of them prefer to live in the fringe of the city centre or in the city centre, with 93.2 per cent of them renting their homes and 6.8 per cent owning them.

The survey showed that 55.4 per cent of the foreign respondents prefer living in public to private housing, with three-room Housing Board flats and private condominiums being the most preferred housing types.

Most of the foreigners who placed their children in nurseries or childcare centres are satisfied with these facilities. For those with children above seven years, most of them send them to international schools.

Eight in 10 of them take some form of public transport to work .

They are also satisfied with the leisure environment in Singapore, in terms of the range of facilities and activities available.





Mr Mah pointed out that close to 90 per cent of the respondents say that Singapore is their home and where they belong. -- ST PHOTO: TERENCE TAN

 

Great place to live, work, play

The Straits Times
Apr 30, 2010

SINGAPORE is a great place to live, work and play in.

Nearly 84 per cent of 4,000 residents here gave the thumbs up to the city state in a lifestyle survey carried out by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) from August 2009 to March this year - a 10.2 per cent jump from the survey carried out in 2006.

Many more - 78 per cent - also find Singapore to be a vibrant and exciting city with its own distinctive character, an increase of 11.4 per cent from 2006.

Specifically, more than 90 per cent the respondents said that they were satisfied with the living environment, over 85 per cent were satisfied with the working environment and over 80 per cent were satisfied with the leisure offerings in Singapore.

The remaking of Singapore has also not gone unnoticed by foreigners. Over 85 per cent felt that Singapore was a great place to live, work and play in, and 81 per cent of them agreed that it has its own distinctive character.

National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan highlighted these key survey findings when he spoke at the URA corporate plan seminar on Friday morning.

Describing the survey results as 'encouraging', Mr Mah said what heartened him more is that Singaporeans identify more with the country.

He noted that close to 90 per cent of the respondents say that Singapore is their home and where they belong. - 20 per cent more from the last survey. And more than 70 per cent want to retire in Singapore. Similarly, over 70 per cent of them hope that their future generations will be based in Singapore.

Mr Mah said the survey showed that the remaking of Singapore efforts are showing a positive trend - that Singaporeans love their city more.

He told the seminar: 'With more Singaporeans travelling round the world and working across borders, Singapore must still mean something special, as home, to our people. A house is not a home. Simply having a good living environment and first world infrastructure will not create an endearing home.

'The character of a city, what makes it stand out among many new cities, goes beyond new buildings or iconic structures. Take Times Square, New York and West End, London for example. Their claim to fame is not based on the latest or best infrastructure, but they are distinctive in character and have established a personality of their own in peoples' minds.

'Therefore, while we congratulate ourselves for our achievements, we need also to remind ourselves that the work does not stop here. More needs to be done. With our new hardware in place, we need to look beyond the physical, to search for the 'soul' of our city, and work towards enhancing it. '

The full report of the surveys is available on the URA website at http://spring.ura.gov.sg/conceptplan2011.

Many more also find Singapore to be a vibrant and exciting city with its own distinctive character. -- ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM

 

NUSS now has four badminton courts

Our club, the NUSS (National University of Singapore Society), a graduate club, is now the proud owner of a multi-purpose hall (MPH) which has four badminton courts.

Despite badminton's popularity over tennis and squash in Singapore for a very long time, badminton was not given its rightful place in our club until about four years ago when our badminton section members lobbied hard for its inclusion in our new Sports Complex during an AGM. Tennis got their three roof top courts in Phase 1 a year ago, but our patience paid off two Sundays ago when our badminton buddies got to play in the four brand new badminton courts. The other new facilities include the Olympic size swimming pool, a relatively large gym, two squash courts, two table-tennis rooms in the same MPH, a billiard room with two tables and a bar and shower facilities.

Much thought has gone into the construction of the MPH which is specially catered to badminton. We avoided the ceiling lights and instead had the lighting deflected from the walls. Of course the height of the ceiling is no less than 30ft and the flooring has a rubberized bottom with a layer of formica top for rough usage.

I played there last night for the first time as I was away on holiday two Sundays ago. I still have to get used to the conditions and the hot and humid weather this past few weeks did not help. This was made worse by our players forgetting to open the lower louvred windows although most of the higher top hung windows were partially opened.

However, this is much better than going around the island to rent courts during weekends although in our case, we were lucky during the past several years to have at our disposal the entire two-court facility at Sheares Hall, a students' hostel. With our own courts we can have two sessions a week instead of one and we can also entertain our fellow badminton enthusiasts during friendly matches at home. Our shower and bar facilities are just around the corner.

Its going to be wonderful for our guys from now onwards.

 

As I've said before, leave the legal aspects to our legal experts.

Don't assume too much if you have not received extensive legal training and worse still, to jump to conclusions which you have been prone to doing before.

What you have indicated above is nothing new, but our legal minds will work hard to find a final resolution to this problem. I have faith in our legal system not your baseless utterances and negative remarks on Singapore.

 

Thanks Kevin.

Can be arranged with the support of my badminton convenor, captain and our Management Committee.

 

Romanian court rejects Ionescu request to cancel arrest warrant

Channel NewsAsia
07 May 2010 1351 hrs

By Mustafa Shafawi

SINGAPORE: Former Romanian Charge d'Affaires to Singapore, Silviu Ionescu, has failed in his attempt to get the arrest warrant issued against him cancelled.

The Bucharest Court of Appeal rejected the request on Thursday saying it was "out of the question, Romanian media Nine O'clock reported on its website.

Prosecutors had earlier called on the courts to reject the request describing it as unacceptable.

However, the ruling may be appealed at the High Court.

Dr Ionescu had claimed that his rights were impaired, as the warrant prevented him from leaving the country.

He's wanted in connection with two hit-and-run accidents in Singapore last December that left one person dead.

A coroner's inquiry in Singapore revealed that Dr Ionescu was the driver of the car involved in the accidents.

Singapore issued an arrest warrant against him on April 1.

 

Concept Plan 2011 focus group reveals draft suggestions

Channel NewsAsia
06 May 2010 2132 hrs

By Mustafa Shafawi/Satish Cheney

SINGAPORE: Public transport, walking or cycling should be the default means to get around in Singapore.

The recommendation was part of a two-pronged strategy proposed by a focus group on the Concept Plan 2011 to make Singapore an endearing and green home for all.

To discourage private transport, it said carpark lots should be reduced and higher parking fees be levied in the city.

"The important thing about car parking is that it is a possible way of regulating the use of private cars, because if you have difficulty in parking a car in a certain part of the city, and there's a very good public transport system, you may just consider using public transport," said Ong Keng Yong, co-chairman of the focus group on "Sustainability and Identity" and director of the Institute of Policy Studies.

The focus group said the government should include sustainability building considerations as a criterion for the award of land tenders.

Programmes to promote a green mindset and raise public awareness about recycling and reducing wastes should be strengthened.

In making Singapore an endearing home, the focus group felt that a Heritage Charter be introduced.

"It's basically to try and build a consensus among all the stakeholders in a particular district as to how to cherish, safeguard the things we love in that district," said Lee Tzu Yang, co-chairman of focus group on "Sustainability and Identity" and chairman of Shell Singapore.

The charter should be jointly formulated by the public, private and people sectors.

To enrich the experience of Singapore's built and natural heritage, it recommends that more people have homes in the heritage districts.

The focus group also said there must be greater community involvement in shaping an endearing Singapore.

With this in mind, schools and non-government organisations need to work with local communities to strengthen the local identity.

The focus group is one of two groups appointed by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).

The recommendations are being put up for public comment, after which the focus group will fine-tune its recommendations before making its submission to the URA.

The submission will be taken into account in drawing up the Concept Plan 2011, which maps out the long term directions for Singapore's land use and transportation plans over the next 40 to 50 years.

 

S'pore calls for more robust regime against nuke material trafficking

Channel NewsAsia
06 May 2010 2329 hrs

SINGAPORE : Singapore has called for a more robust global export control regime to guard against the illicit trafficking of nuclear materials and weapons.

Singapore's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Vanu Gopala Menon, made the call at the 2010 review conference of the parties to the treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

He said the establishment of a multilateral fuel assurance mechanism could help prevent the spread of sensitive nuclear know-how, yet at the same time provide countries interested in pursuing nuclear energy the means to do so.

There must also be a mechanism to encourage countries with nuclear weapon capabilities that are outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty - India, Pakistan and Israel - to abide by the same international rules.

North Korea must also be incentivised to rejoin the global non-proliferation regime.

The Ambassador also said the international community needs to strengthen nuclear safety in a way that does not impede, but enables, states which abide by their international obligations to reap the benefits from non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

He also called for the IAEA, which has been setting international norms and standards on nuclear safety and security issues, to have its mandate and capacity strengthened.

Regional arrangements can play a useful role in supporting and supplementing the IAEA. ASEAN countries have started a conversation on an ASEAN nuclear safety regime.

Many countries, including Singapore, are exploring nuclear energy as a low carbon alternative to fossil fuels. This is the right of all countries under Article IV of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. However, there are no rights without responsibilities.

It is therefore imperative that all countries that insist on their rights under Article IV spare no effort to reassure the international community, by deeds as well as words, that their intentions are peaceful and not directed at weapons development.

The Ambassador said that the recent conclusion of the follow-on treaty to START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) between the US and Russia was a positive step forward after a long period of inaction.

To maintain the momentum, there is a need for all Nuclear Weapon States to seriously address other critical issues such as reducing the role of nuclear weapons in strategic defence doctrines, the no-first-use policy and negative security assurances to Non-Nuclear Weapon States, and for all Nuclear Weapon States to continue to significantly reduce nuclear weapons in a transparent and verifiable manner.

All Nuclear Weapon States, and not just the two major powers, should commit to reducing their nuclear arsenals, end qualitative improvement of nuclear weapons and testing.

Singapore applauds Indonesia's decision to initiate the process of Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty ratification.

A way must also be found to involve non-NPT states with nuclear weapons capabilities - India, Pakistan and Israel, as well as North Korea that has left the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty - in such discussions.


Singapore skyline

 

25 local features to debut at Cannes Film Market

Channel NewsAsia
06 May 2010 2010 hrs

By Mustafa Shafawi

SINGAPORE: The Media Development Authority (MDA) will showcase 25 new features by local filmmakers at the Cannes Film Market which runs from 12 to 21 May.

They are among 102 film projects which will be promoted by MDA at the event, some 25 per cent more compared to last year.

The features range from romantic comedies and adventure flicks to animation features and thrillers.

Among them are: "Neon Sign", the first Singapore-China-Korea film co-production funded through MDA's International Film Fund, and "Bait", Singapore's first 3D action thriller co-produced by Singapore's BlackMagic Design.

MDA's Chief Executive Officer, Christopher Chia, said as the local film-making community becomes increasingly business-savvy, more are concentrating on co-producing commercially viable, internationally marketable projects.

 

Record turnout, R&D boost expected at S'pore Int'l Water Week

Channel NewsAsia
06 May 2010 1841 hrs

By Mustafa Shafawi, Hetty Musfirah Abdul Khamid

SINGAPORE : A record turnout is expected at this year's Singapore International Water Week in June.

The organisers said the turnout will be boosted by the debut of two new country pavilions, an increase in the number of participating companies, and more than 70 co-located events.

They also said more leading water players are investing their Research and Development (R&D) dollars here, and will make these announcements at the week-long event.

One of them is Japanese membrane manufacturer Toray, which will officially open its R&D centre in Singapore during the Water Week.

The Netherlands Water House will also be launched. The organisers said it will enhance cooperation and strengthen ties between Singaporean and Dutch businesses and research institutes in the water sector.

Altogether, over 12,000 people are expected to attend the Singapore International Water Week, which will see more than 450 participating companies at the Water Expo.

Last year, some S$2.2 billion worth of business deals were sealed. More could be on the cards as there will be a 10 per cent increase in the number of companies participating at the trade show.

Michael Toh, managing director, Singapore International Water Week, said: "This year, we will see a strong industry component at the Singapore International Water Week - the Water Expo, which is the trade conference, the trade show.

"At the SIWW we'll see more than 450 companies showcasing and exhibiting their products, solutions and technologies. New ones include those from Canada and Korea.

"They join returning country pavilions from China, Europe, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands and Singapore to bring the total number to a record of eight pavilions this year. The Japanese companies will also showcase their latest water solutions in a pavilion that's nearly 1.5 times bigger this year."

There is also the inaugural Asia Pacific Water Ministerial Forum and the first-ever River Basin and Delta Management Workshop.

Mr Toh said: "We want to galvanise, enable the ministers to share their experiences, their case studies and their stories about implementation of water solutions.

"We want them to talk about governance and also talk about technologies, to be of interest to the participants at the Singapore International Water Week, such as re-use and desalination."

Participants including ministers from Hong Kong, Fiji and Samoa are expected to attend.

There will also be the 14th Meeting of the UN Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation - the first to be held in Southeast Asia. The water leaders' summit will focus on critical areas in water management such as good governance, innovative technology and sound financing.

"We are trying to inject new areas of discussion. For the very first time, we will have the river basin workshop which focuses on the need to address the challenges that are faced by rivers as well as deltas, because as you know many rivers flow through cities, flow to very populous areas, so we want to have a very strong focus - this is a new area of focus," Mr Toh added.

 

REACH receives 270 responses to issues raised at PM Lee's May Day Rally

Channel NewsAsia
06 May 2010 2226 hrs

By Jeremy Koh

SINGAPORE: Government feedback unit REACH has received more than 270 responses across its various engagement channels on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's May Day Rally speech on May 1.

The issues revolve around the restoration of employer's Central Provident Fund contribution, the government's call to raise productivity and foreign worker-related issues.

At a 90-minute e-Townhall webchat on 6 May, for instance, some of about 30 participants felt the announcement on the partial CPF restoration was timely and appropriate.

Some felt the one-percentage point increase should be higher while others were worried about whether companies can manage the higher costs.

Speaking to reporters after the webchat, REACH chairman Amy Khor said the sentiments echoed feedback received on other channels.

"We actually did a quick poll of close to 200 respondents, and close to 8 in 10 agreed it's timely and appropriate for a partial restoration of employer's CPF contribution rate and I think this also came out in this evening's webchat," she said.

Other concerns raised at the webchat included the adequacy of CPF money for retirement and healthcare needs, and the employability of older Singaporeans.

"I think for webchat, one of the advantages is that they get direct engagement and they get instant, real-time responses from people who are chairing the session. In many ways, it helps to clarify some of their issues and concerns regarding the policies. In fact, they themselves help to clarify each other's concerns," said Dr Khor.

REACH is currently conducting a telephone poll to gather reactions on the May Day Rally. Results from the poll will be announced shortly.

 

My hometown in S'pore

The Straits Times
May 7, 2010

By Loh Keng Fatt

NATIONAL Day is coming.

This year, The Straits Times will celebrate the places where Singaporeans call home on this island. The concept for this year's National Day Supplement is My Hometown in Singapore.

What makes people loyal to a particular neighbourhood?

What makes them proud?

What is so special about, say, Serangoon Gardens?

What is so unique about living in, say, Woodlands?

What do folks in Katong enjoy that others cannot?

Everyone has a home, or a hometown, in Singapore. Everyone has a story to share about the joys of living there.

We want to hear those stories.

We want to see photos of your hometown.

We want to read your poems, or lyrics of a song you wrote about your hometown.

Or even a podcast or a video you've made to express yourself.

In tandem with the National Day supplement on Aug 9, we are devoting space at straitstimes.com to allow you to share your stories, pictures and more.

Please submit them either with the relevant attachments or video links, to stonline@sph.com.sg with the heading 'My Hometown in Singapore' by July 15.

Leave your full name, age, occupation and mobile phone number.

We will also publish the contributions from the public in our supplement.


ST PHOTO: MUGILAN RAJASEGERAN

 

Ionescu detained for questioning by Romanian authorities

Channel NewsAsia
08 May 2010 1023 hrs


By Lynda Hong

SINGAPORE: Romanian prosecutors have detained Silviu Ionescu for questioning. The ex-business attaché is wanted by Singapore authorities in connection with two hit-and-run accidents here in December last year, which left one person dead.

Romanian TV news channel, Antenna 3, showed the country's former Charge d'Affaires to Singapore Dr Silviu Ionescu being led away in handcuffs.

Those were the first video pictures we've seen of Dr Ionescu since his return to Romania after the accidents.

Other news agencies, Mediafax, English Hotnews reported that Dr Ionescu refused to make any statements after coming out from the hearings which lasted for about two hours.

Romanian prosecutors are seeking a 29-day detention warrant against Dr Ionescu.

Judges have 24 hours to approve the diplomat's detention, or release him.

Prosecutors said Dr Ionescu tried to influence witnesses' depositions and asked an employee to erase data in his computer.

Dr Ionescu has also failed to get an arrest warrant issued by Singapore against him cancelled.

The Bucharest Court of Appeal rejected his request as "out of the question", according to an online report by Romanian media.

However, the ruling may be appealed in the country's High Court.

Dr Ionescu had claimed his rights were being impaired as the warrant prevents him from leaving Romania

 

Sharing school facilities with residents is pivotal towards community building

Channel NewsAsia
08 May 2010 2014 hrs

By S Ramesh, Sharon See

SINGAPORE: Sharing the facilities of schools with the area's residents is one way of enhancing community bonding. That's the view of Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education, Masagos Zulkifli, when he launched the project on Saturday.

Some school facilities at Tampines Primary and Tampines Secondary are now open to the public.

The idea was mooted three years ago when the Tampines schools were being upgraded under the Education Ministry's Programme for Rebuilding and improving Existing Schools or PRIME.

Masagos Zulkifli, Senior Parliamentary Secretary,Education and Home Affairs, said: "We thought at the time when the PRIME was being executed for the school to rebuild the school, it'll be a great opportunity to study how we can design the new school so that the facilities in the school can be used by the community during off-school hours."

Mr Masagos said the Education Ministry has been sharing sports facilities in schools with the community after school hours since 2005.

To-date, 80 school fields are available for the public to use and 50 'free-to-play' smaller fields available for recreational purposes.

Furthermore, 30 indoor sports halls are opened to the public for badminton, basketball, netball and volleyball.

Many schools also allow registered organisations and community groups to make use of their non-sports facilities such as halls, music rooms and classrooms.

Facilities in the community school, include the gym located at the Secondary School's compound.

The nearby Changi General Hospital will also run its weight management and wellness programmes for the community at the gym.

Mr Masagos said it's a joint effort by the School and Tampines West CC to bring the programmes to the neighbourhood.

Residents also welcomed the idea of having access to more facilities in their neighbourhood.

One resident said: "I find that it's very good for the public and residents here because during the day time, students make use of the facilities here and during the off period, our residents can make good use of these facilities."

Mr Masagos stressed that safety will not be compromised.

He said: "Around the school, there're security cameras during operation when the public have access. There'll be security guards on hand as well as community-based staff who'll also be on hand to manage the facilities."

Mr Masagos added the schools have been designed such that access to public is confined to certain areas only.

Apart from promoting a healthy lifestyle, the Tampines Green Residents Committee has embarked on a joint project with the primary school by providing plants for the school's eco garden.

Mr Masagos added: "The plants include grapes, passion fruit, winter melon and ribena. I heard the students are thrilled by the eco garden and they are looking forward to see these plants bloom."

Students from Tampines Primary are also helping out at the community garden patch to help residents label the plants with their scientific names.

 

S'pore & Johor officials discuss expiry of 1961 Water Agreement

Channel NewsAsia
07 May 2010 2023 hrs

By Joanne Chan

JOHOR : Officials from Singapore and Johor met on Friday in Johor to discuss matters relating to the expiry of a water agreement.

A Joint Technical Committee (JTC) and Joint Working Group (JWG) will be handling the transition of assets and operations.

The 1961 Water Agreement will expire next year, but Singapore's national water agency PUB said it will continue to import water under the 1962 Water Agreement which will expire in 2061.

PUB also said it has put in place the Four National Taps strategy to ensure that there will be a diversified and sustainable supply of water to meet Singapore's water needs.

The Four National Taps are water from local catchments, NEWater, desalinated water and imported water from Johor.

 

Environment ministers of S'pore & Malaysia review areas of cooperation

Channel NewsAsia
07 May 2010 2329 hrs

By Lynda Hong

SINGAPORE : Ministers from Singapore and Malaysia met to review the progress of work carried out by the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Committee on the Environment (MSJCE).

Both sides had fruitful discussions and exchanges of views on various areas of cooperation.

Singapore's Minister for Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) Dr Yaacob Ibrahim met his Malaysian counterpart in Malaysia on Friday.

Dr Yaccob Ibrahim is on a two-day visit at the invitation of Malaysia's Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Douglas Uggah Embas.

The visit is part of the Annual Exchange of Visits (AEV) between the environment ministries of Malaysia and Singapore.

At their meeting on Friday, the two ministers held fruitful discussions.

In a joint statement, both sides noted the marked improvement in tackling vehicular pollution.

They will continue to share experiences on controlling vehicular emissions, such as the tightening of vehicular emission standards and promoting the use of green vehicles.

On joint monitoring of water quality, the ministers reiterated the need to further improve the water quality in the Straits of Johor.

Researchers and scientists from Singapore and Malaysia agreed to continue the exchange of information on the monitoring of ecology and morphology in and around the Straits of Johor in order to conserve the biodiversity of both countries.

As for pollution in the Skudai Water Catchment, Malaysia will continue to exchange information with Singapore on water quality of Sungai Skudai and take actions to reduce the pollution.

The ministers commended the MSJCE for having successfully conducted the 7th Joint Emergency Chemical Spill Exercise at the Malaysia-Singapore Second Crossing on 2 Dec 2009.

The seventh exercise recorded the largest number of participants to date. It provided a good opportunity for both countries to test and improve their existing response plan.

The next emergency response exercise will be organised by Singapore, tentatively in early 2011.

A tabletop exercise will be conducted tentatively in June 2010 by Singapore to prepare for the field exercise between Malaysia and Singapore on response to chemical spill in East Johor Straits (EJS) in 2011.

Both countries had been working together to exchange information to prevent and control oil pollution, including the discharge of oily wastes into the Straits of Johor, and also update the existing procedures for Control of Tanker Desludging Activities and Disposal of Tanker Sludge in Malaysia and Singapore.

They will explore the possibilities to control oil spill in the Straits of Johor.

The ministers reiterated the importance of continuing to work closely through the Sub-regional Ministerial Steering Committee on Transboundary Haze Pollution, involving Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, in strengthening cooperation in tackling transboundary haze pollution arising from land and forest fires.

Since 1979, the Annual Exchange of Visits has served to forge closer environmental co-operation and ties between the two ministries.

The two delegations will participate in the 23rd Annual MEWR-MNRE Friendly Games on Saturday.

Dr Yaacob Ibrahim