RECLAMATION (TUAS)

The Minister for Law (Prof. S. Jayakumar): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the Motion* standing in my name as it appears on the Order Paper.

*The Motion reads as follows:

That this Parliament, in accordance with Section 4 of the Foreshore Act (Chapter 113), approves the reclamation by Government of the foreshore and seabed at Tuas containing an area of about 20 hectares as shown coloured pink on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO 3/92", which is deposited at the Land Office, Singapore.

The Government has agreed with the Malaysian Government to jointly develop a new bridge across the Johor Straits, linking Tanjung Kupang, on the Johor side, to the end of Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim at Tuas, on the Singapore side. This proposed second crossing of the Johor Straits will provide an alternative route for travel between Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia. It will relieve the traffic congestion at the present Causeway at Woodlands.

This project will require reclamation of approximately 20 hectares of the foreshore and seabed at Tuas as shown coloured pink on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO 3/92', a copy of which is displayed in the Library of the House for the information of hon. Members.

The proposed reclamation is necessary to accommodate the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine facilities for the proposed second crossing. The vacant land near the site of the proposed second crossing at Tuas has been earmarked for future development.

The Housing and Development Board, as agent to the Government, will undertake the reclamation works which are expected to commence in the middle of next year and completed in a period of two years at an estimated cost of $169 million.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question proposed.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, I am heartened to hear from the Minister that the Government has successfully agreed with the Malaysian Government to build a second causeway, linking Singapore to the mainland. This will come only as a good in all aspects of it. I have travelled to Johor by car and have to wait something like two hours in the congestion. I am happy to hear that we will have a second link. It will definitely relieve the congestion and it will be a more pleasant journey to the mainland.

Also, with the second link, I believe people will travel more, more connections, more understanding and I am sure the relationship between the two countries will improve. There are many other benefits, trade, culture and all the rest of it. Therefore, I am really happy to hear of this second causeway linking Singapore to Johor.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That this Parliament, in accordance with Section 4 of the Foreshore Act (Chapter 113), approves the reclamation by Government of the foreshore and seabed at Tuas containing an area of about 20 hectares as shown coloured pink on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO 3/92", which is deposited at the Land Office, Singapore.