Malaysians
On Singapore's dependency
Indonesia’s sand politics sparks off debate about the city's reliance on imported sand-water: Is it really a bad thing? Malaysia Today.
Feb 6, 2007

A senior Indonesian official reported statement linking the ban on sand export to Singapore is dependent on resolution of two bilateral issues: a border agreement and an extradition treaty.

The Jakarta Post quoted Vice-Admiral Djoko Sumaryono, the head of the maritime security coordinating board, as saying the move was in response to Singapore's ‘foot-dragging’ in talks of these issues.

He is in charge of stepped-up efforts to police the ban, for which Navy, Customs and police officers are being deployed.

Batam province has been providing almost all 6-8m tonnes of sand a year for Singapore's construction sector since 1997, when Malaysia banned such exports to Singapore.

This news raised the following comments (excerpts) in Malaysia Today: -

yusriam wrote:
Come on Singapore, still living the dog in the manger attitude, not going to share the wealth. That was the only reason for withdrawing from Malaysia. Just like Brunei, not wanting to share their wealth with the poor Malaysians.
Money can buy anything. So where is Singapore going to buy sand now. may be, from the Sahara desert. Good for the arabs. they can also sell sand now in addition to oil.
As for water, Singapore can buy icebergs from Iceland. Nobody can stop the rich Singaporeans from getting what they want.

scout7272 wrote:
I would have thought any country has the right whether it wants to sell its sand if it wanted to.
If the Indonesians believe that Singapore's reclamation activities harms them - then they should stop selling it to them.

bbmars wrote:
Whatever the outstanding issues, you will see how Singapore come out of it. I am not singing S'pore's song. I might be wrong, but everytime there is something, they will try to carve out a niche to get round the problem.
FYI, sand from another country had already been delivered last week and more is coming although it cost 30% more. The Government is prepared to foot part of the bill to help the industry. It will also be releasing sand from the reserve for the contruction industry too.
As for water, they will find a way out to their problem as far as possible. Guess what, I am not sure whether you have read the latest in water development in Singapore just last week. Come 2009-2011, 90% of water will come within the island's water catchment areas and reservoir as compared to 50% now.
You know, because of this water issue with Malaysia, the Government and private industry had spearhead some development in water technology and as they say, the rest is history. Actually, S'pore should say 'thank you' to Malaysia, if not it would not have become a major world water player with so many water projects all over using technology either jointly developed or locally developed.
I still remember many Malaysian politicans even made fun of S'pore when they started all this water stuff and especially Newater claiming things like drink purified urine water, etc. And guess what happened during the Tsunami in Dec 2005; suddenly, every one was singing S'pore's praises. Funny thing: Nobody ever said anything bad when there was not even a single drop of water fit for drinking. The people in Indonesia drinking Newater.

kelamkabut wrote:
Dear Yusriam, S'pore is no longer part of Malaysia for reasons best known to those ultra-Malays. So don't talk sh-t.
Temasek will survive bro'. Why?
Cause they have foresight unlike most of us. All you've got is NEP.
Laugh now 'cause you wont' be having the last laugh.

MD wrote:
My son with gangs in Singapura a few weeks ago. "Dad, in Singapura, even the mamak store beside the beach is very clean, systmeatic..." You have to visit Singapura.
I was in Singapura about 15 years ago. It was not like that before.
Are the Singapure politicians smarter? Yes may be. Plus that their politicians are well paid, corruption is very low. Shame on our politicians, executives...

DontPlayGod wrote:
I have always held the view that it is just pure jealousy on the part of Singapore's neighbours that is fueling such animosity. What other reasons can there be.
And to top it all, as Singapre is just a little red dot, her neighbours expect her to be compliant or subservient to their wishes. People forget that Singapore is an independent sovereign nation.
And, what makes it so sickening is that all the nations involved are part of ASEAN. Does ASEAN have any meaningful role in good neighbourliness. What is ASEAN all about?
Sometimes I wonder whether if Singapore is Malay-dominated, will all the animosity from her neighbours just disappear?

KaumPendatang wrote:
Don't Play God, if Singpore is dominated by the Malays, nobody will envy Singapore's success. Because there won't be any success left and maybe, it will just be a Pulau Singapore like Pulau Tioman, Langkawi or any other pulau you see in Malaysia.

anakjohor wrote:
Lee Kuan Yew is simply brilliant.. a brilliant leader. Syed Jaafar Albar, Tunku (Abdul Rahman), Tun Razak, Sardon Jubir all collectively are no match for this one brilliant leader.

bbmars wrote:
90% catchment another scheme? If you are in S'pore, you may want to see for yourself what is being done. In another few more months, another 2 more reservoirs will be opened. And one of them, to be opened at the end of this month can even treat sea water.
There are also the desalination plant using sea water is already in contruction, catchment areas refined and developed, more reservoirs and deep water cannels, etc.... If you want to see all these happening, go down to SG to see for yourself in few years time cause these plans will be implemented and will also be part of urban SG.
This means the public will enjoy beautiful views, why, the canals are designed for living and integrated as part of HDB where many Singaporeans live, enhancing living standard. Reservoirs open for public to fish, karyating, and water sports activities, dragon boat racing which is already happening
In all 80% of current Singapore has already become catchment areas to collect water. You think Singapore will rely on water from Malaysia?
I think many Singaporeans have had enough of the water sh-t thing from Malaysia. Whatever the negoiations done between S'pore and Malaysia, let the politicans play their game. At least now, Singaporeans are more than happy without hearing much about the water issues that was once a hot topic in parliament.
FYI when I was serving NS some 20 odd years ago, the military training grounds were already being imposed with restriction and we were told we are not allowed to anyhow sh-t our business around, and destroy vegetation and forest land due to water catchment plans.
I understand that these plans were not done up overnight. it only hastened up after Malaysia refused to sell water to Singapore, pprompting governemnt to become more agressive in sourcing for future water supply.
I hear over news that Queensland Australia is now looking into get NeWater as their main source in view of the yearly drought.

anakjohor wrote:
Malaysia, which has so many hills and mountains with many rivers, is not able to have enough water for Malaysians. Just block all the rivers and make into dams to supply water to the Malaysians.
Singapore is very successful becos the government is really for the people.

bnlm wrote:
hi yuriam, any reason why S'pore must share its wealth with others. Sound like communist to me. Not logical, my friend.
That's not their reason for leaving Malaysia. Please study history. Don't talk like ABB or Abdul Ghani. I respect you as a blogger.

perakian wrote:
yusriam wrote: "Come on Singapore, still living the dog in the manger attitude, not going to share the wealth. That was the only reason for withdrawing from Malaysia."
When they withdrew from Malaysia, what did they have to share with us - land, oil, rubber trees?

LT wrote:
anakjohor, what exactly do you want? Why do you call yourself anakjohor when you want to sing Singapore glorifying songs?
Please, if you are a Singaporean, don't call yourself an 'anak johor'. And if you are from Johor, then please pledge your loyalty to Malaysia. not Singapore.
That's all I ask. a little bit of national pride.

Solaris wrote:
anakjohor, you got it all wrong about Syed Jaffar Albar...You should read about LKY connection with "The Plan". This are the things that makes Tuan Syed pissed off with LKY. The involvement of LKY with socialist and partly communist that makes most of Malay leaders go against LKY. Even the Head of SB (Chinese guy) has told Tunku to jail LKY...Most of Malay leaders that time does not trust LKY.

MD wrote:
Some of our unpatriotic Malaysians always put down Malaysian, when they are overseas. What a shameful act of Malaysians. But again, everybody likes to be with a winner. By looking at the way our politicians run the country (Just like running their own grocery stores), it does not surprise why those Malaysians are revolting - Just to show off their unhappiness with the corrupt system.
Malaysia Today