RECLAMATION (PULAU AYER MERLIMAU)

7.10 p.m.

The Minister for Law and National Development (Mr Barker): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the motion* standing in my name on the Order Paper.

• The motion reads as follows:

`That this Parliament, in accordance with section 4 of the Foreshores Act (Chapter 270), approves the reclamation by Government of those portions of the foreshores at Pulau Ayer Merlimau containing a total area of approximately 170 acres as shown coloured green on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMAXTION PLAN NO. 3/71" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.'

Sir, the State lands and foreshores at Pulau Ayer Merlimau will be alienated to the Jurong Town Corporation to enable the Corporation in turn to sublease these State lands and foreshores to the Singapore Petroleum Co. (Pte.) Ltd, for the proposed development of an oil refinery on the island. The development project, to be undertaken by the Company as a joint venture with the Development Bank of Singapore, will involve a total investment of about $160 million and provide about 2,500 persons with employment during the construction period. When completed, the refinery will employ about 300 persons, and, it is estimated, will produce about 65,000 barrels of oil per day.

In order to enable the development project to be carried out, it is necessary to reclaim approximately 170 acres of the foreshores as shown coloured green on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 3/71", a copy of which is displayed in the Library of this House for the information of Members. The Jurong Town Corporation as agent of Government, will undertake the reclamation of these foreshores at an estimated cost of $2 million. The fill required for the initial reclamation will be obtained by cutting down the high ground on the island. The reclamation is expected to be completed in eight months.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That this Parliament, in accordance with section 4 of the Foreshores Act (Chapter 270), approves the reclamation by Government of those portions of the foreshores at Pulau Ayer Merlimau containing a total area of approximately 170 acres as shown coloured green on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATEON PLAN NO. 3/71" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.