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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?
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?
Z 09/04/2004 12:07:08AM
Does anyone really trawl through all these feedback posts and seriously
read them? This feedback channel seems highly suspect to me because
I wonder if it really does make a difference to policy making. Besides,
other issues have clouded the topic of discussion and some have become
irelevant.
I'm currently an undergrad at one of the local universities. I've
studied about Singapore, and it strikes me as sad that being land
scarce we have often traded off our natural ecosystems for economic
development, in this case exchanging a coral reef for a casino which
is perceived to rake in the tourism dollars. My stand on this issue
is more about the fact that the government has chosen the Southern
islands, I believe they should seriously reconsider this and maybe
use Sentosa instead. We already have very very few coral reef ecosystems
left because of rampant land reclamation projects, resulting in an
almost entirely artificial coastline. Being an island state, how can
we call ourselves that and pride ourselves on that uniqueness when
our beaches/coral reefs are being destroyed one by one??
I believe the coral reefs also serve ecotourism very well. If the
authorities would consider that very few places on earth has such
natural resources and treasures left: even the Great Barrier Reef
is facing the threat of extinction, I really hope they would reconsider
using the southern islands. A casino can be re-created anywhere, destroyed
and rebuilt but once a coral reef has been destroyed, there is no
way you can ever re-create it to its original state. Nature has its
way of making our earth beautiful and I find it disappointing that
Man has often sacrificed all these for selfish economic profit-oriented
reasons. Do we wait till our earth becomes as ugly and barren as the
machine world in the movie the Matrix before we wake up and realise
the enormous implications of our every decision???
RE:
A Casino in Singapore?
Anonymous 09/04/2004 12:46:03PM
the actual reason for casino is to finance the rising maintenance
cost of Singapore. without casino, it would mean rising taxes and
rising fares/fees/levies etc. rising cost would mean increasing unhappy
voters in 2 years' time.
it is choice of rising cost against eco-life and bad gambling influences.
rising cost will affect 100% of the population.
eco-life and bad influences will impact a small part of the population.
of course, the logical choice is to set up casino.
RE:
A Casino in Singapore?
Chun Yong 09/04/2004 01:59:49PM
I refer to the last post by Anonymous at 09/04/2004 12:46:03PM.
I do not agree with him /her that the protection of eco-life would
only have impact on small number of Singaporeans. The destruction
of nature resources not only have impetus on all Singaporeans but
on our future generations as well.
Dead coral life cannot be reinstated. Something which some people
don't appreciate does not neccessary mean that it has no value to
us at all.
In any case, I don't see how the casino can prevent the rise in costs
substantially. As Singaporeans, we have been told repeatedly over
the past few years that we have to fend for ourselves. As such, can
the government assure us that we would see some reversal of the policy
and the revenue from the casino will go into subsidizing for lower
taxes (i.e. lower gst) and not into the reserves? Will the government
assured us that the money will go into for example employing the proposed
guards for the mrt trains so that the cost of employing these guards
will not pass on to the consumers? If the answers to the abovementioned
is no, then it is in my opinion that the casino would degenerated
into a profit-making venture GLC which is concerned for its own bottomline.
Lastly, I do not want to be a second class citizen in my own country.
Even the casino is unavoidable, I implore the adminstration to treat
citizens and tourists equitably.
My two cents' worth.
RE:
A Casino in Singapore?
JS Foo 10/04/2004 12:05:33PM
I appreciate that our Govt has always been proactive in exploring
all possibilities, that could continue to fuel our economy growth
etc, but I hope that consideration should also be given to the preservation
of our natural environment, which is so little left. Our whole island
has already changed so much physically, think of moving next to Sentosa?
Researches have shown that human activities have always caused more
harm to the ecosystem - I beleive experts in this area will definitely
have more substantiate evidence than my mere words.
Though the proposed casino is good for our economy, I hate to think
of its impact on the environment, starting from the moment when the
'inhabitants' on that particular area will be greatly disturbed with
all the construction going on etc. "They" probably all died in this
"human disaster"
In Malaysia, I learned that before any proposals to develop the coastal
areas (or elsewhere), they do carry out Environmental Impact Assessments
to assess for eg, how best not to disturb the natual inhabitants.
Though we must maximise land use for perhaps economic reasons, but
this is our home and should we not spare a thought of preserving something
(like the nature) for ourselves and the generations to come...
RE:
A Casino in Singapore?
sherrine 10/04/2004 04:22:36PM
Hi, If it means sacrificing our local biodiversity (eg. reef diversity)
then i think the government need to seriously weigh the intangible
costs involved. From my understanding, sacrificing the possible extinction
of local reefs for the sake of purely economic development seems pretty
much selfish and foolish as we will most definitely suffer from such
a cost in the long run.
RE:
A Casino in Singapore?
Xinyu 10/04/2004 08:07:11PM
The reclamation of land to enable the construction of a Casino in
Singapore would have significant impact on the coastal marine life
of Singapore. Some of the valuable coral reefs surrounding the proposed
site for the Casino would inevitably be destroyed by this venture.
There is nothing wrong with having a Casino. However, perhaps there
could be other proposals as to where the Casino can be sited.
RE:
A Casino in Singapore?
Ivan Choong 12/04/2004 09:02:55AM
Firstly, I'm pretty disappointed in the management of such forums.
As post to the discussion topic, I am amazed by how people can go
off topic on other issues not related to the one posted by the Feedback
Unit.
I would like to voice out that though I see potential in building
a Casino in Singapore there are draw backs in every action that we
take. Perhaps the Goverment should look into them as well and not
take opinons as the vocal minority.
Having a Casino here does create opportunities for jobs and financial
revenue for many that are involved in such projects. BUT, while doing
so are we willing to give up what we have there? If one's unsure of
what I am talking about, it is relatively simple.
I'm talking about the Coral Reefs and the natural enviroments that
will be DESTROYED if such projects do get underway. Unknowing to many,
our reefs here are flourishing in the most difficult conditions that
we are putting them on. Land reclaimations have been the main cause
of the bad visability and this turns off most people that want to
visit our reefs. Still there are a divers who would go out to view/
survey the reefs of their beauties and growth.
So why save this? Though it might seem that not many people do visit
or dive the reefs but reclaiming land to build a Casino that may or
may not be successful is a great loss to nature. Once the reefs are
lost we are unable to recover them back. What happens to our future
for our children? To say that Singapore has progressed so far having
world class this and that but yet nothing natural to boast about?
Even our public gardens and greens here are already so artificial.
All planned out by goverments.
Are we going to see another "dead" attraction like Tang Dynasty stilling
there? Or "Water World" in Sentosa? Attractions that ended up being
flops.
In short, if the goverment can come up with a plan of having a world
class international island resort, with a world class casino... why
not put in a little bit more effort and come up with a world class
reef to co-exist with their plans. Otherwise, what do we have to tell
our future kids when we have lost any natural reefs and have nothing
to conserve? Are we heading in that direction?
RE:
A Casino in Singapore?
Maverick 12/04/2004 02:54:18PM
Hi Ivan, I like your postings, at least you have put in great thoughts
in your argument. I don't understand why other people bother to talk
abt NKF and other unrelated issues at this Forum. Can't they read
that this forum is on Setting up of casino? Still got the cheek to
label as "off track" in the subject heading... It's heartening to
exchange pointers with netters like you - makes discussion so much
meaningful rather than a bag of hot air or nonsense. Let's show to
the govt that we citizens can give valuable input to their policies.
I share your sentiments that the building of casino in the southern
isles should not be carried out at the expense of whatever marine
life we are left with. As suggested by one netter earlier, there is
no need to reclaim all the small isles, but to build nice connecting
bridges.
Actually, having a casino here isn't such a big fuss to me. Even without
a casino, die-hard gamblers will still make a trip to Genting or even
bet on 4Ds/TOTO. Let's treat the casino like a Country Club membership
- exclusive to those who can afford only. Let's assume that those
who can afford such membership can also afford to lose at the gambling
tables. :) Any other "constructive" input?
RE:
A Casino in Singapore?
foomt 12/04/2004 05:00:54PM
Build the Casino, but please keep the natural surroundings as Natural
as possible for Nature Itself is a Draw to the Tourists.
RE:
A Casino in Singapore?
manosn 12/04/2004 05:19:31PM
To Sotong, I am pro-casino. I find that the government under PM Goh
are more people friendly and it ministers are willing to listen to
feedback. The final decision must be make by the government. Only
than the system will work and the policy can be carried out systematically.
But I find the mininsters at present are abit slow in actions, althought
they knew of the problems but acted rather slowing. Just like having
a casino in Sentosa island. Build it and talk later. Worry so much
for what? A casino just a small thing as compare to the SMRT.
Coral reef in Singapore must be a joke. Have any tourist come to Singapore
to see the coral reef or how many Singaporean even go out to there
to see coral reef? I rather go to Puala Tiomen or Phuket or Samuil
island to see Coral reef there. Don't kid ourselves that we have coral
reef that can be see 2 feet away from it. Maybe mud we can see here.
RE:
A Casino in Singapore?
Lai CF 12/04/2004 08:24:44PM
Manson, When I visited Kusu Island in the late 50's, you can literaly
see the corals from the bumboats.
RE:
A Casino in Singapore?
manson 12/04/2004 10:34:05PM
Lai, I must have been 20 years late. During the 70, when visiting
Kusu island, I never come across any coral reef. They must have gone
by than. What causes it. Rapid development or green-house effect.
We can never turn the clock back. Can we?.
Gambling can be addictive. But if we treat it as liesure and limit
a sum we can afford to lose. I find no great harm upon us. I believes
all grown up adult that can be admitted into the casino are able to
control themselves when gambling. I do gambling like 4-D, toto but
never get addicted or more than the sum that I can't afford to lose.
Life is like betting, sometimes win, sometimes lose. We should have
a choice.
RE:
A Casino in Singapore?
Mikhail 15/04/2004 07:44:45PM
No, i don't think that in building a casino in S'pore is right. This
is island belongs to all of us and its heritage should be destroyed
by building a casino here. That is my view on this subject.
For
us to admire
Lin M.S 15/04/2004 08:59:26PM
Just my two cents worth.
I cannot claim to be an expert at the diversity of wildlife in our
Southern islands, however, just one visit to Pulau Hantu last year
took my breath away. I could not stop talking about what I saw there,
and my friends who heard what I told them wished they had the chance
to come along to see with their own eyes.
Along came plans to build a casino on Sentosa, as well as future plans
to put our Southern islands to profitable use. Judging from the statistics
supplied by various sources, there is not a doubt just how much monetary
benefits can be profited from this vice.
Many people who have paid attention to this controversy must have
developed a certain degree of interest in the Southern islands, and
we ask, what is it about these places which invokes such an outcry
from our people? Are ecologists and conservationists just protesting
for the sake of it, do they not weigh the pros and cons of casino
versus wildlife?
Or is there a genuine cause for conservation which will benefit our
descendents for years to come?
Let me raise a few things I saw on P.Hantu which I found unforgettable.
There was a lone jetty there, old cemented paths, and trees swayed
in the gentle breeze. During low tide, there were numerous large,
flower-shaped soft corals that flopped over the rocky shore; large,
white ghost crabs that ran so fast which were difficult for a person
to run after, let alone catch them. And there are species of crabs
which only exist in Singapore, and nowhere else, which can still be
found on our Southern islands.
It is to my pleasure that I could visit one of the southern islands
that I did not know still exists in Singapore, and one thought struck
me hard. I had wished that in the near future, this place would be
a place for all Singaporeans to admire wildlife that we so often see
in documentaries from other places. There are many things which Singaporeans
are proud about our country, perhaps a great biodiversity which we
can all enjoy is something which we can boast about in time to come.
Hence, do we only want to say things like: We do not have to bother
keeping such flora and fauna since we can simply pop over to neighbouring
countries to see them. Or statements such as: we should be concerned
with gaining profits and places like these can be sacrificed. Because
they are too small and insignificant. Singapore is small too.
RE:
A Casino in Singapore?
Lai CF 15/04/2004 10:27:09PM
Agreed that gambling is highly addictive. Agreed that gambling is
a major source of income for loan sharks. Agreed that desperate housewives
are selling their bodies to clear gambling debt. Agreed that casino
is a powerful lure to the young and the impressionables. Agreed that
their is a correlation between casino gambling and increase in social
problems. Agreed that Singapore will lose its "Squeaky clean" image.
But all these above problems are occurring and maybe on the rise due
to the existing "casino" in Singapore: - TOTO & 4-D Betting shops
in HDB estates - Kranji Turf Club - Private clubs jackpot machines,
Card and Mahjong Rooms.
How can a casino can be any worse than the present situation where
they are ample opportunities to gamble "legally" in Singapore. Ever
heard of heartlanders losing their "family" over horses and virtually
all their monthly income spent on 4-D? Ever heard of housewives losing
all their monthly expenses in illegal casino and those casino-liners?
If we are so strongly against gambling, then please start by getting
all those Betting shops out of HDB estates. They are a "family breakers"
by encouraging heartlanders to spend a substantial amount of their
income trying to hit the "Big" one. Ever seen a $500 "Big" and $500
"Small" plonked by a heartlanders on a spur of moment? Ever visit
Cecil Street on Saturday afternoons? Basing on the same argument,
Kranji Turf CLub must be banned as it is a curse to families when
the sole bread-winners blow away their monthly salary and more in
one single afternoon. There is where "Ah Long" make his fortune as
well. WHy take half-measure to ban casino only, why not ban those
"existing casinos" as well as it is really a bane to happy family
life. For those ANTI-casino, there is no such thing as certain form
of gamblings are acceptable and only casino gambling is unacceptable.
You either ban all form of gambling or nothing. There is no such thing
as a half-virgin. By allowing pub, massage parlours, Geylang, Bugis
Street (Changi Village now), etc..Singapore had already lost its "squeaky
clean" image. But it was never there in the first place. SIngapore
is the original Sin City '50s.
Agreed that Southern Islands will be "destroyed". But why moan now?
Destruction occurred 5 year ago when Pamela Lee (STB) unveiled the
Master Plan to merge all the Southern Islands into a "Capri". Isn't
a bit too late to cry over spilled milk when reclamation work started
long time ago. |
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