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  Business Times 25 Aug 07
M'sia, S'pore to jointly tackle climate change

Channel NewsAsia 25 Aug 07
S'pore, M'sia agree to share information to mitigate climate change

SINGAPORE : Singapore and Malaysia have agreed to share information and findings to mitigate climate change. For a start, both countries agreed to focus on energy efficiency and joint training programmes for capacity building.

This was decided by the Environment Ministers of both countries at their two-day meeting in Malaysia, which ends on August 25. The meeting is part of the Annual Exchange of Visits (AEV).

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Dr Yaacob Ibrahim is in Malaysia at the invitation of Mr Azmi Khalid, the Malaysian Minister of Natural Resources and Environment.

During the visit, the ministers also reviewed the progress of work carried out by the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Committee on the Environment (MSJCE). There were fruitful discussions and exchanges of views on various issues.

On haze, both Singapore and Malaysia agreed to share information and experiences on their respective collaboration with the Indonesian provinces.

As for the control of vehicular emissions, both countries will continue to share experiences in tackling vehicular pollution which is a mutual concern.

The ministers reiterated the need to further improve the water quality in the Straits of Johor (SoJ).

They agreed that the next emergency response exercise at the Malaysia-Singapore Second Crossing would be organised by Singapore, tentatively in November 2007. The first table-top emergency response exercise at the East Johor Straits would be organised by Singapore, tentatively in the first quarter of 2008.

The ministers also agreed for the MSJCE to cooperate in the prevention of oil spills in the SoJ, besides the existing mechanism for dealing with chemical spills.

The two countries will also continue to jointly monitor water quality within Sungei Skudai Water Catchment.

The Singapore Environment Institute (SEI) and the Environment Institute of Malaysia (EiMAS) have conducted several training exchange programmes and there are plans to conduct more similar ones in future.

This is the 21st time the Environment Ministers of the two countries are meeting under the AEV framework. - CNA /ls

Business Times 25 Aug 07
M'sia, S'pore to jointly tackle climate change

(PUTRAJAYA) Malaysia and Singapore have agreed to share information and find ways to mitigate climate change, an issue both nations regard as important, at regional and international forums.

For a start, the two countries agreed to focus on energy efficiency and joint training programmes for capacity building to mitigate climate change.

This was contained in a joint press statement issued at the end of the Malaysia- Singapore Joint Committee on Environment (MSJCE) meeting here. The meeting was the 21st held under the annual exchange visits programme between the environment ministers of Singapore and Malaysia.

This time, Singapore's Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim met Azmi Khalid, Malaysia's Minister of Natural Resources and Environment. The two ministers reviewed the progress of work carried out by the MSJCE.

Both countries also agreed to share information and experiences in their respective collaborations with the Indonesian provinces to combat regional transboundary haze.

'Both countries have reiterated the importance of continuing to work closely through the Ministerial Steering Committee in strengthening cooperation in tackling regional transboundary haze pollution arising from land and forest fires,' the statement said.

The two countries also reaffirmed their commitment to continue to share experiences in tackling vehicular pollution, an issue of mutual concern. 'Steps have been taken by both parties to tighten the control of emissions from motor vehicles in line with international standards,' the statement added.

The two ministers also reiterated their commitment to further improve the water quality in the Strait of Johor.

On emergency response plans for chemical spills at the Malaysia-Singapore Crossing and the Strait of Johor, the two neighbouring countries agreed that Singapore would organise the next emergency exercise at the Crossing, tentatively in November this year.

'The first table-top emergency response exercise at the East Johor Strait will be organised by Singapore tentatively in the first quarter of 2008,' the statement added.

'The ministers agreed for the MSJCE to cooperate in the prevention of oil spills in the Strait of Johor besides the existing mechanism for dealing with chemical spills.'

On the Sungai Skudai water catchment, the two countries agreed to jointly monitor water quality within the catchment area, which is important to Singapore's water supply.

They also agreed that the Singapore Environment Institute and the Environment Institute of Malaysia continue to conduct training exchange programmes in the future, the statement added. -- Bernama
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