SENTOSA (Development plans)

Mr Rohan bin Kamis asked the Minister for Trade and Industry what are the plans to enlarge the facilities of Sentosa Island to make it more attractive to both Singaporeans and the tourists.

The Minister for Finance (Mr Hon Sui Sen) (for the Minister for Trade and Industry): Sir, the Sentosa Development Corporation has several plans to make Sentosa Island more attractive to both Singaporeans and the tourists.

The first is to encourage the private sector to participate in the development of the Island. One such development is the construction of resort hotels of world class standard. Tenders for the hotel sites are being drawn up and will be called sometime this year. The Ministry of Trade and Industry is finalising the incentives to be given to the first one or two hotels.

A second private development is the construction of a seafood restaurant on a kelong. Tenders for the sites have just been called.

Thirty hectares of the northern foreshore of Sentosa are being reclaimed. When completed, the reclaimed land will form part of a site to be leased to the Sentosa Golf Club for the development of a second 18-hole golf course. This course will be of championship standards and will be suitable for the World Cup.

A mini-rail of 8.5 km in length is being planned. It will be the first of its kind in Singapore and will form the permanent transport system on Sentosa as well as provide fun rides for visitors, especially children. This rail will start at the Jetty or Carlton Hill and will wind its way through the scenic spots of the Island and stop at all centres of attraction.

Tenders for a musical fountain have also been called. The fountain, the first of its kind in Singapore, will be visible to visitors to the World Trade Centre.

These are some of the more interesting plans for Sentosa.