Jessica Lim Straits Times 12 Mar 12;
THE National Parks Board (NParks) may lift a ban on the use of live bait for fishing at the Woodlands Waterfront Jetty.
This after an angler wrote in to MP for Sembawang GRC, Mr Vikram Nair, to lobby against it.
Minister for National Development Khaw Boon Wan, who was copied in the letter, said the ban was not a good solution for keeping parks clean as 'it affects the fishing experience of anglers'.
'The best solution is for the community of anglers to take ownership of the jetty's cleanliness,' wrote Mr Khaw in his blog yesterday. 'This way, every one, anglers or non anglers, can enjoy the waterfront at all times.'
The use of live bait at the Woodlands Waterfront Jetty was banned in 2010, after anglers left a rotten mess in the area after preparing the live bait. It ignited a rash of comments online at the time. Some netizens questioned the need for such a drastic move. Others lamented that it was impossible to catch anything substantial without live bait.
Mr Khaw said NParks is working with anglers on adopting the correct way of preparing live bait so the ban will be unnecessary.
He said the solution to cleanliness cannot be foreign cleaners, adding that parks in Australia, Japan and Korea are 'wonderfully clean'. 'Park users (there) take their rubbish with them as they leave,' he said. 'Many Singaporeans are picking up such a good habit. But I think we are still not yet at the level of the Aussies, or Koreans or Japanese.'
Mr Khaw said the Government will continue to invest in parks because they 'add to our quality of life, besides promoting healthy living and community bonding'.
The next big thing in parks, besides the Rail Corridor, he said, is a seamless 150km-long Round Island Route to link up major natural, cultural and historical attractions here. 'If you have any ideas on how you can help keep our parks world class... NParks Facebook will be thrilled to hear from you,' he said.
More investment in parks but help keep them clean: Minister Khaw
Imelda Saad Aziz Today Online 12 Mar 12;
SINGAPORE - National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan (picture) has said that his ministry will do more to invest in parks and urged the public to help keep public spaces clean.
In his latest blog post, he wrote that parks add to the quality of life, promote healthy living and community bonding.
Mr Khaw pointed to two big projects - the Rail Corridor and the 150km-long Round Island Route which will link up the country's major natural, cultural and historical attractions.
But with such investments, Mr Khaw urged the community to play its part in maintaining public spaces.
He cited parks in Australia, Japan and Korea, which Mr Khaw described as being "wonderfully clean" and not because they have "foreign cleaners to pick up litter".
"The users do not litter in the first place. Park users take their rubbish with them as they leave. Pets are leashed and the owners (clean up after their pets). Many Singaporeans are picking up such good habits. But I think we are still not yet at the level of the Aussies, Koreans or Japanese," he said.
At the Woodlands Waterfront Jetty, NParks is working with regular anglers to self-police, and get everyone to adopt the correct way of preparing live bait.
Mr Khaw said this will then make the ban on live bait, which was imposed because of the mess left by anglers, unnecessary and irrelevant.
The move comes after a Woodlands resident and fishing enthusiast, Mr Abdul Rashid, emailed his Member of Parliament last month to lobby against the ban.
To submit ideas on how to keep parks here world-class, Mr Khaw encouraged the public to go to the NParks Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/nparksbuzz.
