Joint panel on environment 'has never discussed reclamation'

KUALA LUMPUR - There is a platform for Malaysia and Singapore to handle environmental issues but it has never discussed the impact of the Republic's reclamation projects.

Science, Technology and Environment Minister Law Hieng Ding said the committee has since 1991, focused mainly on cooperation to keep the Johor Strait clean through monitoring of water quality and pollution sources.

He said environmental issues arising from Singapore's reclamation projects are being handled by the Foreign Ministry.

Datuk Seri Law was asked if his ministry could initiate a request for Singapore to share information on the reclamation to facilitate Malaysia's own impact study.

'There is a platform at ministerial level but it has never been used to discuss the reclamation...

'If there is a need, we can ask the Malaysia co-chairman of the committee to raise the issue. But at the moment it is in the hands of the Foreign Ministry.'

The joint committee is co-chaired by Malaysia's Science, Technology and Environment Ministry secretary-general and Singapore's permanent secretary of its Environment Ministry. -- New Straits Times