RECLAMATION (Pulau Pesek Kechil/Ayer Chawan/Sakra)

The Minister of State for Law (Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That this Parliament, in accordance with Section 4 of the Foreshores Act (Cap 113) approves the reclamation by the Government of the foreshore and seabed, west of Pulau Pesek Kechil, Pulau Ayer Chawan and Pulau Sakra containing an area of about 975.4 ha as shown coloured pink on the plan marked `LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO 1/99', which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.

Sir, Parliament at its sitting on 28th May 1993 approved Stage 1A of the reclamation for 166.59 ha of foreshore/seabed between Pulau Seraya and Pulau Merlimau, Pulau Ayer Chawan, Pulau Ayer Merbau and Pulau Sakra to form the proposed Jurong Island. Stages 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B and 2C to reclaim 440.4 ha of foreshore/seabed between Pulau Seraya, Pulau Ayer Merbau, Pulau Ayer Chawan, Pulau Sakra, Pulau Pesek and Pulau Pesek Kechil were approved by Parliament at its sitting on 27th February 1996. Stage 3A to reclaim 34 ha of foreshore/seabed north of Pulau Merlimau was approved by Parliament at its sitting of 19th November 1997. Stage 2B4 to reclaim 7.59 ha of foreshore/seabed south of Pulau Ayer Chawan was approved by the Minister for Law on 26th October 1998 as it is less than 8 ha. Majority of the reclamation works for these stages have been completed and proclaimed as State land in 1998, except for Stages 1B, 2C and 3A which are scheduled for completion in April 1999.

The reclamation to form the Jurong Island is to meet the projected demand for industrial land in Singapore. It will turn the amalgamated Jurong Island into a world-class chemical and petrochemical complex, with related supporting industries. It is now proposed to proceed with Stage 3B of the proposed reclamation to reclaim the foreshore/seabed west of Pulau Pesek Kechil, Pulau Ayer Chawan and Pulau Sakra as shown coloured pink on the plan marked `LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO 1/99', a copy of which is displayed in the library of this House. The proposed reclamation will yield an additional 975.4 ha of land for industrial development.

Fills required for the proposed reclamation will be imported. The Jurong Town Corporation will be appointed as agent of the Government to oversee the reclamation works. The reclamation works, estimated to cost approximately $1.3 billion, will commence immediately and is scheduled to be completed in December 2001.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That this Parliament, in accordance with Section 4 of the Foreshores Act (Cap 113) approves the reclamation by the Government of the foreshore and seabed, west of Pulau Pesek Kechil, Pulau Ayer Chawan and Pulau Sakra containing an area of about 975.4 ha as shown coloured pink on the plan marked ` LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO 1/99', which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.