AIR POLLUTION AT SINGAPORE SIDE OF CAUSEWAY

Dr Kanwaljit Soin asked the Minister for the Environment (a) what is the level of air pollution at the Singapore side of the Woodlands Causeway during peak hours in view of the large number of Malaysian motorcyclists commuting to Singapore daily; (b) whether the pollution will have any effect on the health of residents living in Woodlands; and (c) whether the traffic police are instructed to turn back motorcycles and other vehicles emitting excessive exhaust smoke.

Mr Mah Bow Tan: The air quality at the Singapore side of the Causeway is not satisfactory. Although the level of air pollution is within permissible limits established by the World Health Organisation and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, nevertheless it is higher than other parts of Singapore.

My Ministry has been working with the Malaysian authorities, through the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Committee on the Environment (MSJCE) to control pollution from vehicles crossing the Causeway. Since its formation in 1991, the MSJCE has embarked on several programmes to educate owners and drivers of diesel vehicles on preventing smoke emissions. At the same time, Malaysia and Singapore stepped up enforcement action, including the turning back of diesel trucks and lorries that repeatedly exceed the smoke emissions standard.

Recently, the MSJCE expanded its educational campaign on smoke emissions to include motorcycles. On our part, Singapore has already tightened up emission standards for Singapore registered motorcycles. Most two-stroke motorcycles cannot meet the new emission standards. To be consistent, these standards must apply to all motorcycles being used in Singapore, whether or not they are registered here. The Ministry is currently studying how to apply the new emission standards to foreign motorcycles on our roads.