| |
What
people say about the Southern shores
and plans for its development
Feedback Unit, Government Consultation
Portal
What are your views on the setting up of
a casino in Singapore?
The Government has made the first-ever indication that a casino may
be allowed in Singapore. The casino may form part of the many attractions
on a proposed international island resort on Sentosa Cove. The Minister
for Trade and Industry BG (NS) George Yeo said that the Ministry is
keeping an open mind on this casino idea. He has reassured that there
will be measures in place to limit the access to the casino by Singaporeans
and to keep out organised crime.
A selection of responses that mentioned the reefs and wildlife of
the Southern shores
23 Mar and earlier | 24-26
Mar | 27-30 Mar | 31
Mar-8 Apr | 9-12 Apr | 15-16
Apr | The
full thread
RE:
A Casino in Singapore?
Loh Tse-Lynn 22/03/2004 04:21:40PM
While I understand that we have to sacrifice some nature areas for
national security and landfill areas, and even some petrochemical
industries, I'm dismayed that yet more coral reefs have been earmarked
to be reclaimed in the name of recreation.
Are there any assurances that the marine nature areas of the Southern
Islands will be taken into account and conserved as much as possible?
While we have very small reef areas compared to the region, we still
have almost 200 species of hard corals and more than 100 species of
reef fish, not counting the myriad other organisms that exist. On
clearer days in Singapore, and at low tides, it is astounding how
bountiful the marine life can be in Singapore.
It's simply mind-boggling that all these abundance of life has to
be destroyed in order to attract the high-rollers of the world to
come and play on our shores. As can be evidenced by the example of
Tanjung Chek Jawa, a marine nature area can be a source of joy and
learning to multitudes of people, and I'm sure that any recreational
developments in the Southern Islands to come can only benefit from
incorporating and protecting existing coral reefs, seagrass beds and
mangroves into their overall planning and design. If this can be achieved,
that will truly be a world-class act.
RE:
A Casino in Singapore?
Lee Yong Kian 23/03/2004 12:26:30AM
It is not a bad idea to have a casino in Singapore, maybe from the
economic point of view. but then, more singaporeans will have access
to legalised gambling, no matter how the government try to limit singaporean.
people will definitely find ways to gamble in this casino. hence,
outsiders may think the government is encouraging gambling.
then again, i am also not very convinced that the casino resort will
turn up to be the world class resort. look around us, everywhere is
filled with oil tankers, we don't even have a proper nature landscape
to show off. i should imagine the world class casino to be surrounded
with beautiful beaches, clear sea, untouch natural greenery (you know
what I mean).
now, that brings us to the other point, what about the rich marine
lives around the southern islands? will they be killed to make way
for urban development? if that is so, then I think the government
is making a grave mistake. to be a high class resort, the casino needs
to be different and unique from the rest of casino. what's unique
in our southern islands is the rich marine ecosystem. if the government
can see this natural advantage, he should think of ways to enhance
this aspect, to show off this to foreigners. To eliminate/damage the
marine ecosystem is actually to remove this competitive advantage
in achieving "high class standard".
RE:
A Casino in Singapore?
Anonymous 23/03/2004 12:53:52AM
Singapore has lost most of it's usable land to high rise buildings,
there is still a valuable coral reef in Sentosa. Building a casino
will destroy it. Save what you have left before it is too late.
RE:
A Casino in Singapore?
K C Ong 23/03/2004 09:52:09AM
Congratulations to the Ministry on the re-development plans of the
southern island. I hope the "Paradise" like resort would have taken
into consideration to re-locate or perhaps exhibit our very own Singapore
coral reefs located around these islands.
Show the world that ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CAN GO HAND IN HAND WITH
NATURE - plus generating revenue from it's re-location. How??? Contact
me and Blue Water Volunteers for a business plan. Disclaimer
by Blue Water Volunteers
RE:
A Casino in Singapore?
Sophie 23/03/2004
10:57:07AM
I am with Loh Tse-Lynn, below.
Singapore seems intent on destroying all its remaining nature areas.
Recently the Kranji Marshes have been destroyed in order to make way
for a golf course, regardless of the fact that over 150 bird species
were recorded there (including rare examples). Unfortunately there
are many more examples of nature areas loosing out against recreation.
Many of our coral reefs have already been destroyed but of those still
left in Singapore, most are found around the Southern Islands. As
Loh Tse-Lynn mentioned, there are still hundreds of examples of corals
and reef fish found in Singapore and these deserve to be saved. But
also, it's not only the marine life at risk here but many other species
of birds and animals which enjoy the peace of the Southern Islands.
Public protest saved the biodiversity rich Chek Jawa on Pulau Ubin
from being destroyed, let's hope the same happens for the Southern
Islands.
Is
it justified?
Isaac 23/03/2004 11:08:06AM
Over the years, Singapore has lost most of its natural resources &
heritage. Be it in terms of land, coastal lines, rainforests or the
hilly terrains. There are tourists who are interested in the SE Asia
cultures and nature attractions. How much do we have now to offer,
be it to the tourists or to our children? When the last villager leaves
Kampong Buangkok/Ubin, kampong life will be history in SIngapore.
Now casino is part of our government plan to boost tourism revenue.
First most, most religions do not encourage gambling. It does not
benefit the locals or the tourists. Putting religious belief aside,
having most basic human values will tell that gambling is a vice.
Do our government have to resort to such a biz plan? For now, maybe
it is not opened to local. When there is not enough tourist traffic,
it will be opened to the locals. Just like having 4D on wednesday
and legalising soccer betting, it does not benefit the public but
Singapore pools.
Made worse, destroying the coral reefs is a bad mistake. When will
the policy makers realise the natural heritage is a gift from God?
Personally I went to Pulau Hantu coral reef once, it is really awesome.
I made another trip to a reef near Tekong which was dying due to reclaimation.
It really upset me to see the dying marine life. Can't we co-exist
with other nature beings? They deserve as much as we do to live on.
Thirdly, we boast of successful attraction to attract the tourists.
Look at Sentosa, I feel bad to bring overseas pals to visit that island.
U just make a trip to Sentosa and look at the crowds at their food
court. Look at Esplanade, will they see the ROI soon? Do tourists
come all the way to visit Esplanade or our casino? Personally, I feel
that our Mandai Zoo is the most successful and has achieved world
class standard. Why? The founder put in his passion and life into
his zoo. And the concept works till today.
In my opinion, rework our tourism strategy fast. During the WW2, Singapore
was a british fortress. Lot of stories and battles took place. From
the northwest to the west coast, from Ubin to Punggol. Australians,
English, Indians soldiers fought and perished here. There are so many
documents and events took place which the locals do not even know.
If u go to Cambodia, Vietnam, Germany, there are alot of war related
musuems, sites to visit. Not only they are revenue driven sites, they
serve educational purpose to the young generations.
What have we learned about the WW2? Ask the veterans, the POWs, ask
our grandparents. History is to be remembered, not to be buried.
A
Casino: What is the value of our natural seashores?
ria tan 23/03/2004 03:26:33PM
Price of the Southern Island shores? In dollar and cents, reclaimed
and reformed, they could potentially bring in substantial revenues
as tourist development. Will there be sufficient returns on investment?
A review of Sentosa as it is now should provide an inkling. Will pouring
more money into it ensure returns?
Value of the Southern Island shores and our other wild places? Beyond
the 5C's: There was an effort to go beyond an economic citizen. The
price to retain an economic citizen can only escalate. And an economic
citizen would go with the highest bidder.
So how to build a citizen who feels ownership of Singapore? Who feels
a strong bond with Singapore? And will stick with Singapore regardless
of other 'logical' (monetary) considerations?
I personally feel Singapore's wild natural places can play a strong
role in developing Singaporeans with soul. At the core of all society
are the bonds among our people, and within our family. The kind of
bonding that happens in a wild natural place is unique. In ways hard
to duplicate in artificial teaching situations, children's natural
curiosity get the better of them on a seashore or other natural area.
The spark is lit and kids are fired up to learn on their own. Wild
places teach more than facts. The challenge of dealing with the outdoors
builds character. This principle is at the core of Outward Bound School
and school outdoor activities. Such development can only take place
in wild places and not in manicured gardens. Do we have to send our
children to Malaysia's wild places to develop their character?
How sad if Singaporeans have to escape overseas to have a natural
wild experience. The bonding happens elsewhere; the family album is
filled with happy moments in Malaysia, Australia, China. Staying in
Singapore is equated with the drudgery of work and school. Only the
rich will enjoy quality moments in pristine natural areas.
Singapore is in danger of becoming a giant concrete straight-edged
city under a bubble of airconditioning. Any bits of nature found only
in artificial zoos and aquariums, or manicured parks. How can a citizen
connect with such a Singapore? A Disneyquese virtual reality. No different
from any other modern city in the world. Except everything is smaller
and more expensive.
We need to keep our natural Singapore; not just wild nature. But also
the small eating places, inefficient traditional shopping corners,
untidy dwelling communities. These are what make Singapore special
to Singaporeans. It is something money cannot buy. And if bought,
generally doesn't take off (as in re-creations of Chinatown and other
"village" settings). This unique ambience is ours and ours alone.
The best cheap-and-good hawker food; the peaceful hideaway for quiet
time with friends and family; the strange combination of festivals
and traditions that only Singaporeans know how to deal with. Let's
not sanitise and rationalise everything.
Exposure to wild natural places brings soul to the nation, bonds us
literally to the land.
PM once asked "What values must we preserve?" The ideal nature visitor
is also the ideal citizen. Someone who respects other people and lifeforms.
He does not litter, vandalise or annoy wildlife and other visitors.
He is patient, eager to learn and share with others. He knows he is
not the centre of the universe. He knows his actions will affect the
lifestyle and surroundings that he leaves to his children.
PM also asked "What kind of Singapore will make Singaporeans proud?"
I feel Singapore's wild natural places are something that Singaporeans
can be proud of. But do we have any left? Yes! Certainly in the Southern
Islands, see http://www.wildsingapore.com/sos for a gallery of what
an ordinary visitor (non-diver) can see on these shores.
As a highly developed country, Singapore still has some spectacular
natural life that we can be proud of. How wonderful if Singapore can
be an example of a country that attained economic growth while showing
sensitivity to the things that matter to the soul of the nation.
Let us the consider the value of our natural assets and not just their
price. Let us not be among those who know the price of everything
but the value of nothing.
The Southern Islands are the last of our shores currently spared from
extensive reclamation.
A win-win situation would be for the Islands to be developed while
preserving the priceless and irreplaceable natural shores. And for
all Singaporeans to continue to have access to our natural heritage,
a special part of what makes Singapore truly unique
A
Casino in Singapore?
westerner 23/03/2004 03:48:12PM
let me be honest: the fact that Singapore does not have casinos is
a major plus for me. coming from a country where casinos have only
recently been allowed and where, as a result, almost immediately organised
crime and money launderers entered the scene, i would implore Singapore
not to take this step. to think you can take steps to prevent organised
crime to enter the gambling scene is a fallacy. to think a casino
alone would make Singapore more attractive to 'the rich and famous'
even so.
for me the existence and stimulation of what little natural sea areas
we still have in Singapore would be far more attractive than yet another
urban method of amusement. i think the trick may lie in making Singapore
as a tourist destination more attractive for other types of tourists.
has a serious study been done into the possibilities of carefully
exploiting the few natural resources we still have left and try to
gain more tourist dollars from an increasing 'eco-tourism' industry?
listening to many of my diver friends complaining about the lack of
good dive sites around Singapore, i think that to be able to show
a thriving natural world alongside a major port would be something
unique in the world and a major attractor. Diversity in tourist profiles
would possibly create better revenue gains than just catering to the
same types over and over again.
RE:
A Casino in Singapore?
number 1 23/03/2004 03:51:33PM
Big people do Big thing. BG Yeo can do Big things such as FTA ,Esplanade
and casino. as in budget debate,no sacred cow will be spared to revive
our economy.
can our coral and marine life be world class ? if it is not world
class, why preserve it ?
can our casino be world class like SIA ? it is definitely a yes.
why preserve a non-class coral and marine life when we can have a
world class casino ? |
|
