DROWNING CASES (Number)

Dr Teo Ho Pin asked the Minister for Community Development and Sports (a) how many cases of drowning were reported in Singapore from 1998 up to the first five months of 2000; (b) what measures are taken to educate the public on water safety; and (c) if his Ministry will consider providing resources to help the Singapore Life-Saving Society conduct more water safety courses and public education programmes.

The Minister for Community Development and Sports (Mr Abdullah Tarmugi): Sir, swimming is an immensely popular sport in Singapore. In 1998 and 1999, Singaporeans made a total of 13.2 million visits to our Singapore Sports Council (SSC) swimming complexes. While we are encouraged by this healthy trend, I am very sad indeed to inform the House that we have had two drownings between 1998 and May this year in SSC swimming pools.

My Ministry and the Singapore Sports Council take safety in sports very seriously. We need to ensure that the public can engage actively in sporting activities without putting themselves at risk unnecessarily. With regard to public education on the importance of water safety, the SSC sponsors the Singapore Life Saving Society to organise talks on drowning prevention and water safety. These talks attract a lot of interest from pool operators, teachers, students and also members of the public.

The Council has also been actively providing assistance to the Singapore Life Saving Society such as letting its facilities at nominal cost. Under this arrangement, the Society has set up a Lifesaving Training Centre at Kallang Basin Swimming Complex. The Centre actively conducts courses, tests and seminars aimed at producing professionally trained lifesavers in Singapore.

The SSC and the Singapore Life Saving Society will continue to work together to conduct more water safety courses and public education programmes. This will, we hope, help make swimming an even safer sport for everyone to enjoy.