Missed out on other MND news over the past month? Here’s a sampling of some of the more significant developments.
Friendship and Cooperation at the 5th Iskandar Malaysia JMC
The Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) for Iskandar Malaysia held its fifth working meeting in Singapore on 4 November 2009. The JMC has formed a new work group to study the joint development of an iconic economic project. This is a follow-up to the discussion between the two Prime Ministers in Singapore in May this year, whereby a bilateral project in Iskandar Malaysia was mooted as a showcase of the commitment of both countries to build a strong, productive and enduring relationship. Since 2006, Iskandar Malaysia has attracted some S$1.1 billion in manufacturing investments from Singapore's private sector. Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan said that this sum comes from the 178 manufacturing projects with Singapore participation which have been approved by Malaysia from 2006, when the Johor economic zone was first launched, till May this year.
Meeting the Challenges for the Engineering Industry
Speaking at the Professional Engineers Board's Day of Dedication on 6 November 2009, Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan highlighted that efforts to attract more young engineers to join the profession must continue. He also said the promotion of the engineering profession should start in the early stages of schooling. Turning to the challenges facing the industry, Minister Mah said engineers need to look at greening Singapore's environment by adopting sustainable design and construction practices. This is particularly so as Singapore is a resource-scarce country. In the modern competitive environment, Minister Mah also encouraged engineers to upgrade their skills and enhance their capability and competency.
Lush Living along the Punggol Waterfront
Singapore's first public housing project along the Punggol Waterway will have eco-friendly features and resort-like designs. Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan announced the winning team behind the design at the HDB's annual awards ceremony, which was held at HDB Hub on 11 November 2009.
The 1,200-unit waterfront project will be launched in the middle of next year. The firm behind the winning design is a partnership between international architectural firm Group8asia and local design company Aedas. They stole the crown with a distinctive sky terrace concept which creates public spaces along the waterway. National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said the winning design offers a new lifestyle option for Punggol residents. He added that “It's distinctive sky terrace concept will create quality public spaces along the waterway for the community, keeping the kampung spirit alive.”
Good Neighbours Honoured
Good neighbours are assets to all communities. In a collaborative effort to recognise them, the Housing & Development Board, the People’s Association, supported by the Ministry of National Development, Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM) and the Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) have joined hands to organize the Good Neighbour Award. This award aims to recognise HDB residents who have shown acts of kindness, neighbourliness and who have contributed in promoting graciousness, harmony and cohesion in their HDB community. The award was launched on 29 April 2009. A total of 530 nominations were received when it closed on 31 Aug 2009.
The awards ceremony on 24 November 2009, officiated by the Senior Minister of State for National Development and Education, Ms Grace Fu, honoured five exemplary residents who, through their simple acts of kindness and consideration, left a positive impact on their neighbourhood.
Rice Research Fund to Inspire Grains of Hope
Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan attended the launch on 25 November 2009 of a fund to support important research into rice - a food staple for half the world. The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), headquartered in the Philippines, is behind this fund-raising effort, the first major one for rice. The money will go towards rice genetics research to explore means of increasing the supply of rice in the face of volatile climate change. The ultimate aim is to ensure that rice output does not plateau and to forestall shortages that will send rice prices rocketing again like they did last year. Minister Mah pointed out that because Singapore was not a rice-producing nation, it should not take its supply lightly. He noted, “Rice plays a fundamental role in Singapore - economically, culturally and socially. Between 2005 and 2008, our rice consumption rose by about 40 per cent, from 197,000 tonnes to 275,000 tonnes.”
