RECLAMATION AT PULAU SERAYA AND PULAU SEBURUS

3.50 p.m.

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

• The motion read 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 foreshore and seabed around Pulau Seraya, Pulau Seburus Luar and Pulau Seburus Dalam containing a total area of approximately 386 acres as shown coloured green on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 11173", which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.'

Sir, it is proposed to reclaim the foreshore around Pulau Seraya, Pulau Seburus Luar and Pulau Seburus Dalam, thereby amalgamating these three small islands with deep water frontage, into one large island to provide sites in the most economic manner for petrochemical companies wishing to set up operations in Singapore. The development will not only create a comprehensive oil refining and petro-chemical complex in the Southern Islands but will also provide the Jurong Town Corporation and the Port of Singapore Authority with a suitable dumping ground for surplus dredged materials from the Corporation's port extension projects as well as the Port of Singapore Authority's projects, including dredging of nearby navigation channels.

The proposed reclamation will cover an area of approximately 386 acres of the foreshore, as shown coloured green on the plan marked as "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 11/73", a copy of which is displayed in the Library of this House for the information of Members. The reclamation cost of $26 million will be borne by the Jurong Town Corporation which will undertake the development as agents of the Government.

On completion of works, the reclaimed land will be proclaimed as State land and alienated to the Corporation on terms and conditions to be agreed with the Commissioner of Lands.

The reclamation proposal at Pulau Seraya, however, necessitates the acquisition of approximately 33 acres of the private land therein. Compulsory acquisition proceedings are being taken. Clearance of those affected will be undertaken by the Resettlement Department in accordance with its present policy. The 350 inhabitants, including 34 Temporary Occupation Licence holders required to be cleared from the island, will be resettled by the Jurong Town Corporation in the Corporation's flats. The Corporation will also arrange for the clearance of the mosque which is on a Temporary Occupation Licence, the Government primary school and the community centre on the island.

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 foreshore and seabed around Pulau Seraya, Pulau Seburus Luar and Pulau Seburus Dalam containing a total area of approximately 386 acres as shown coloured green on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 11/73", which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.