Sand Ban A Lost Opportunity
For Economic Cooperation
Says S'pore PM
By Jackson Sawatan
[bernama.com]
SINGAPORE, March 18 (Bernama) -- Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has described Indonesia's ban on sand export as a lost opportunity for economic cooperation which hurts both sides, a report here said.
Commenting for the first time on the issue, Lee said that Singapore had to accept the decision and look for ways to overcome the problem.
"The official explanation is that it's because of concerns over the environment and that it has nothing to do with other issues which we are negotiating like the extradition treaty and the defence cooperation agreement or the ongoing talks on boundary demarcation," he told a group of Japanese journalists ahead of his visit to Japan today, as reported by The Straits Times.
Last month, Indonesia imposed the ban on the export of sand of which Singapore is the biggest importer, citing environmental concerns.
Lee said: "So, we accept the explanation they've given us and we hope that over time, the matter will stabilise and we will be able to resume our cooperation."
The sand import ban took a new twist just days after it took effect on Feb 6 when several Indonesian legislators remarked that the ban was Indonesia's way of pressuring Singapore into signing an extradition treaty and to resolve border disputes between both countries.
Indonesia wants the extradition treaty to bring back Indonesian tycoons which Jakarta has alleged to have fled to Singapore, taking with them corrupt money.
Following the ban, Singapore released its sand stockpile to ease the shortage of the building material.
Lee said Singapore's sand stockpile would last for a considerable time and that the cost increase would be quite bearable.
He described as unfortunate that the problem has come up. "We don't fully understand why," he said.
Besides releasing its sand stockpile, Singapore is also importing sand from other sources to make up for the shortage and is exploring ways to reduce dependency on sand in construction.
"There is potential to go for more efficient processes, steel and drywalls. These are things which we are embarking on to reduce our construction costs," he said.
-- BERNAMA
http://www.bernama.com
For Economic Cooperation
Says S'pore PM
By Jackson Sawatan
[bernama.com]
SINGAPORE, March 18 (Bernama) -- Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has described Indonesia's ban on sand export as a lost opportunity for economic cooperation which hurts both sides, a report here said.
Commenting for the first time on the issue, Lee said that Singapore had to accept the decision and look for ways to overcome the problem.
"The official explanation is that it's because of concerns over the environment and that it has nothing to do with other issues which we are negotiating like the extradition treaty and the defence cooperation agreement or the ongoing talks on boundary demarcation," he told a group of Japanese journalists ahead of his visit to Japan today, as reported by The Straits Times.
Last month, Indonesia imposed the ban on the export of sand of which Singapore is the biggest importer, citing environmental concerns.
Lee said: "So, we accept the explanation they've given us and we hope that over time, the matter will stabilise and we will be able to resume our cooperation."
The sand import ban took a new twist just days after it took effect on Feb 6 when several Indonesian legislators remarked that the ban was Indonesia's way of pressuring Singapore into signing an extradition treaty and to resolve border disputes between both countries.
Indonesia wants the extradition treaty to bring back Indonesian tycoons which Jakarta has alleged to have fled to Singapore, taking with them corrupt money.
Following the ban, Singapore released its sand stockpile to ease the shortage of the building material.
Lee said Singapore's sand stockpile would last for a considerable time and that the cost increase would be quite bearable.
He described as unfortunate that the problem has come up. "We don't fully understand why," he said.
Besides releasing its sand stockpile, Singapore is also importing sand from other sources to make up for the shortage and is exploring ways to reduce dependency on sand in construction.
"There is potential to go for more efficient processes, steel and drywalls. These are things which we are embarking on to reduce our construction costs," he said.
-- BERNAMA
http://www.bernama.com
1 comment:
This is a page out of language of diplomacy at its sharpest witty truncation:
Besides releasing its sand stockpile, Singapore is also importing sand from other sources to make up for the shortage and is exploring ways to reduce dependency on sand in construction.
"There is potential to go for more efficient processes, steel and drywalls. These are things which we are embarking on to reduce our construction costs," he said.
Our wisma putra guys should be able to explain away this unblemished surefooted reflection of singaporean catechism.(unless they are cursed with a balding, bloated, ill-equipped minister at the helm of wisma putra)
Johorians are very lucky people. they will have to have someone strong in the PM office or the WPI will go hay-wire.
The WPI that I see is so beautiful.
It is an wonderful international city. I am so proud of it, the WPI that I have in mind.
Post a Comment