Is it time for a Ministry of Energy in Singapore?

Ng Tze Yong, The New Paper 28 Jun 08;

IT'S on the cover of The Economist.

It's the theme of a world summit held at Suntec Convention Centre earlier this week.

And it lies at the core of strikes and protests worldwide.

Energy. The future's all about it.

Will Singapore be ready, when the world runs out of steam?

Several Asean countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia already have ministries of energy.

In Singapore, however, energy security lies in a muddy middle zone.

It straddles the work of two ministries: the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.

And then, there is the cast of smaller-sized characters: A think tank (the Energy Studies Institute), a statutory board (the Energy Policy and Planning Division), the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development and an inter-ministerial Energy Policy Group.

In short, there's no one body fully in charge.

As an issue that involves areas as diverse as education, national development, international relations, transport and the environment, among others, energy security can be tough to tackle.

Said senior fellow Elspeth Thomson from the Energy Studies Institute: 'Before we were set up, there were ministries working on the same issue, unaware of the other.'

Said Dr Geh Min, a former Nominated Member of Parliament and ex-president of the Nature Society: 'We need a more integrated approach... the situation is urgent.'

IDEAS

What can a Ministry of Energy, or MOE2, do? Here are ideas to mull over.

# Buy our own oil field

One day, no one may sell us oil because in a Scramble world, available resources may already be tied up in bilateral agreements.

Why not buy an oil or gas field in a neighbouring country like Cambodia, Brunei or Myanmar as a precaution?

# Buy overseas farms to grow food

Like the first idea, this is politically-sensitive. Who will work on the farms - Singaporeans or foreigners?

# A law to set a minimum temperature in Singapore offices

In an energy-deficient world, Singaporeans are wearing sweaters in offices. It is absurd at best, immoral at worst.

# Forge closer relations with oil-producing countries

Until two years ago, Singapore did not have a residential ambassador to Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil producer.

But setting up a new ministry will be expensive and time-consuming.

'It may also send the wrong message to the other ministries that the issue is now off their backs,' said Dr Geh.

Instead, the Prime Minister's Office should take charge, she said.

And let someone like SM Goh Chok Tong, who has already been busy fostering better relations with the Middle East, helm it.

Is it time?

The world is waking up to the crisis. In Singapore, the people are still watching - and freezing in cinemas.