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  Straits Times Forum 2 Dec 06
Don't turn southern islands into exclusive playground of the rich
Letter from Ramesh s/o Govinda Raju

Straits Times Forum 2 Dec 06
Rethink the decision to remake southern islands
Letter from Jason Chiam Chiah Sern

Straits Times Forum 2 Dec 06
Southern isles: Spare a thought for S'poreans
Letter from ITang Lay Cheng (Miss)

I REFER to the article, 'Southern Islands may be next big tourist attraction' (ST, Nov 29), about the Singapore Tourism Board (STB)'s plans to attract 'well-heeled tourists' and 'the rich'.

St John's Island and Lazarus Island are frequented by those who enjoy a day at the beach, as well as anglers.

Would STB spare a thought for these groups of Singaporeans when it develops the islands?

Incidentally, three days before the report, my friends and I were chased off Lazarus Island by a security guard who claimed we were 'trespassing on the private island'. A number of anglers who had set up their fishing gear on the bridge linking Lazarus Island and St John's Island were similarly sent packing.

As the Southern Islands are under STB's management, is Lazarus Island considered a 'private island'?

Straits Times Forum 2 Dec 06
Don't turn southern islands into exclusive playground of the rich
Letter from Ramesh s/o Govinda Raju

I am disappointed to learn that the Singapore Tourist Board is planning to build an exclusive resort in the southern islands. Land is scarce in Singapore.

There is always a tradeoff in the use of land. In the case of building exclusive resorts in the southern islands, this means there will be restricted access to one of the few areas with good beaches for the people of Singapore.

Thousands of people visit the southern islands every year. Remaking the southern islands will have an impact on the quality of life for those who cannot afford to go overseas for their holidays and now use the islands for their recreation. The planned development will restrict their access to the islands

Many islands off Singapore are already used for industrial or military purposes. The benefits of the swanky resorts that will be built are generally for the rich only. This is done at the expense of the lower income groups, which will have to find other means of recreation that may not be as satisfactory as the southern islands.

I urge the STB to balance the social needs with the economic needs of society when considering the exclusive use of land for a certain segment of tourists.

Let's make Singapore a place for its citizens to stay and not just a place for tourists to visit.

Straits Times Forum 2 Dec 06
Rethink the decision to remake southern islands
Letter from Jason Chiam Chiah Sern

I refer to the report "Southern Islands may be the next big tourist attraction" (ST, Nov 29). I urge the authorities to reconsider the decision.

The islands are probably the last of what remains of the marine ecology and the natural greenery in Singapore.

Can we stop destroying the natural environment of Singapore to cater to the rich and famous?

What about ordinary Singaporeans who desire some natural beauty or marine enthusiasts who want to enjoy the ecology of the sea?

Any construction work, no matter what assurances are given by the authorities, will have an impact on the ecological balance.

Must we turn every inch of the island into a "profit-making" machinery?
links
Uniquely Singapore: city reefs! with photos!
Related articles on Southern Islands developments
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