Zaki Amrullah, Channel NewsAsia 18 May 09;
SINGAPORE: Selangor's chief minister is in Singapore to study how the republic cleans up its rivers.
After visiting the Marina Barrage and being briefed on the Singapore River Development Guide Plan, Mr Abdul Khalid Ibrahim called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana.
The two leaders discussed regional developments and opportunities for bilateral collaboration between Singapore and Selangor.
In particular, Mr Abdul Khalid said he looks forward to Singapore's help in Selangor's river clean-up project.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, the meeting is in line with Singapore's efforts to nurture friendly ties with Malaysia, both at the national level and also with Malaysian states.
Selangor keen to tap Singapore's river cleaning expertise
State officials led by Menteri Besar visit Marina Barrage
Reme Ahmad, Straits Times 19 May 09;
MALAYSIA'S Selangor state is embarking on a RM10 billion (S$4.1 billion) project to clean up its longest river and is keen to tap Singapore's experience in river cleaning, Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said yesterday.
Several Selangor officials, including those from its state water authority, yesterday accompanied him on a visit to the Marina Barrage here.
They were also briefed by Singapore officials on the Singapore River Development Guide Plan.
Selangor wants to clean up its 120km Sungai Klang in a 20-year project to 2030.
Singapore has the experience to help Selangor in this after its success with the Singapore and Kallang rivers, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid told The Straits Times in an interview yesterday.
'The experience in Singapore showed that as a result of the cleaning up, they have developed high- end real estate projects surrounding the rivers. The river can also be a source of fresh water,' said Mr Abdul Khalid.
During his day-long visit, he also called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana, and delivered a talk at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.
The Menteri Besar and PM Lee discussed regional developments and opportunities for bilateral collaboration between Singapore and Selangor, a statement from the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (Mica) said.
'In particular, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid said that he looked forward to Singapore's assistance in Selangor's river clean-up project,' the statement said.
The meeting is in line with Singapore's efforts to nurture friendly ties with Malaysia, both at the national level and also with the Malaysian states, Mica said.
Sungai Klang flows from the highlands in north-east Selangor, winds through Kuala Lumpur before meandering back into Selangor, and drains in the Strait of Malacca.
Mr Abdul Khalid said that once the clean-up is completed, sections of the river could be used to transport people to reduce vehicular traffic. Other parts could be used for recreational purposes.
A big challenge is to re-site illegal squatters, factories and animal farms by the riverbanks. Here again, he said, the Singapore experience is valuable.
He expects to announce the project's management team next month and tender documents will be out soon after that.
Asked about funding, he said Selangor has some funds available as it collects RM1.5 billion in revenues annually while expending RM700 million in wages and operational costs.
Officials are also mulling trading parcels of riverbank land for work done.
Asked whether the move to openly seek Singapore's expertise in a major project would be a politically sensitive issue in Malaysia, the Menteri Besar said: 'This is not political competition, this is a commercial effort.'
- CNA/yt
