No lack of natural gas for Singapore

Straits Times 14 Jul 08;

SINGAPORE will not have a shortage of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for many years, given its long-term contracts with Indonesia and Malaysia, said Foreign Minister George Yeo yesterday.

And for the long haul, there is also the upcoming LNG terminal.

Mr Yeo was responding to media queries on how political instability in neighbouring countries would affect Singapore's natural gas supply.

He was speaking at a community event in Hougang Stadium to promote social harmony, which was attended by about 2,000 residents from Aljunied and Hougang.

The billion-dollar LNG terminal will be ready to supply a third of the country's gas demand by 2012.

At yesterday's event, which included a walk, telematches and performances, Mr Yeo also touched on the Youth Olympic Games that Singapore is hosting in 2010, which he said would have grassroots' support.

'There are many things that need to be done, from critical infrastructure to systems management to security, to making sure we have enough guides, hosts and hostesses,' he said.

Representatives such as community leaders, schoolchildren and undergraduates would be mobilised to help in the national effort, he added.

LIAW WY-CIN