Sin Chew Jit Poh 9 Nov 12;
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Singapore today agreed to further enhance collaboration in the prevention and control of oil spill in the Straits of Johor, and continue to organise a joint emergency response exercise to counter chemical spill at the second crossing.
These are among of the cooperation discussed and agreed upon between Malaysian Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Douglas Unggah Embas and his counterpart Singapore Environment and Water Resources Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan at the two-day 25th Malaysia-Singapore Annual Exchange of Visits held here today, said a joint statement by both ministers.
It said Malaysia agreed to organise the 9th Joint Emergency Response Exercise under the Emergency Response Plan for Chemical Spill at the Malaysia-Singapore Second Crossing, tentatively in the third quarter of next year.
It will provide a good opportunity for both countries to test and improve further their existing response plan, said the statement.
Under the Emergency Response Plan (ERP) for Chemical Spill In the East Johor Straits, Singapore will organise the first field exercise tentatively next year, said the statement.
On collaboration between Malaysia and Singapore in the area of oil spill prevention and control in the Straits of Johor, both countries have been working together to exchange information to prevent and control oil pollution in the strait.
Both countries have operationalised existing procedures for control of tanker desludging activities and disposal of tanker sludge in Malaysia and Singapore, it said.
Both countries also have agreed to continue to monitor the seawater quality in the Straits of Johor, while researchers and scientists from Singapore and Malaysia have agreed to continue the exchange of information on the monitoring of ecology and morphology in and around the strait in order to conserve the biodiversity resources of both countries.
Meanwhile, the Environment Institute of Malaysia (EiMAS) and Singapore Environment Institute (SEI) will continue their collaboration in conducting several training exchange programmes.
On control of vehicular emissions, both countries had made marked improvement in tackling vehicular pollution and would continue to share experiences on controlling vehicular emissions, such as the tightening of vehicular emission standards and promoting the use of "green vehicles," it said.
Tomorrow both ministers and their delegations will be participating in friendly games with some 200 staff and officials taking part.
It said the next Annual Exchange of Visits will be held in Singapore next year.
