ACCESS TO LIGHTHOUSE ON PULAU PISANG

Mr Inderjit Singh asked the Minister for Communications what arrangements the Singapore Government has with the Malaysian Government on the access to and management of the lighthouse on Pulau Pisang and whether there have been any recent moves by the Malaysian Government to restrict Singaporeans access to that island.

Mr Mah Bow Tan: The island of Pulau Pisang belongs to Malaysia. Singapore currently operates the lighthouse on Pulau Pisang. Under an indenture dated 6th October 1900, the Sultan of Johor granted the plot of land on which the lighthouse stands, as well as the roadway leading to the lighthouse, to the Straits Settlement and its successor, Singapore. The total plot of land granted to Singapore amounted to just over two acres. According to the indenture, this arrangement continues in perpetuity as long as Singapore operates the lighthouse.

The lighthouse is a navigational aid for ships passing through the Malacca Straits. At any one time, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore deploys two lighthouse keepers on Pulau Pisang. The two-man lighthouse crew is rotated every 10 days. There is a long-standing arrangement between the Singapore and the Malaysian authorities to allow the lighthouse keepers to travel directly between Singapore and the lighthouse by boat. This arrangement is still in force and has not been changed.