MEDIA STATEMENT
27TH ANNUAL EXCHANGE OF VISITS (AEV) BETWEEN THE
ENVIRONMENT MINISTRIES OF MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE
28 NOVEMBER 2014
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1.
His Excellency Deputy Minister of Natural Resource and the
Environment Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Dr. James Dawos Mamit, hosted the 27th
Annual Exchange of Visits (AEV) between the Environment Ministries of
Malaysia and Singapore on 25th November 2014 in Kuala Lumpur. The
Singapore delegation was led by His Excellency Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan,
Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Singapore.
2.
The two Ministers reviewed progress made by the Malaysia-Singapore
Joint Committee on the Environment (MSJCE). The 28th MSJCE Meeting,
Co-chaired by Dato’ Sri Zoal Azha bin Yusof, Secretary General Ministry of
Natural Resource and Environment Malaysia and Mr. Choi Shing Kwok,
Permanent Secretary Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources
Singapore, was held on 24th November 2014. Views were exchanged on the
following areas of cooperation:
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(i)
Control of Vehicular Emissions
Both countries had made marked improvements over the years in tackling
vehicular pollution and would continue to share experiences on controlling
vehicular emissions.
(ii)
Joint Monitoring of Water Quality in the Straits of Johor (SOJ)
With great emphasis given to the marine environment protection agenda
both countries will continue to monitor the seawater quality in the Straits of
Johor.
(iii) Progress Report on the Monitoring of Ecology and Morphology in and
around the Straits of Johor
Researchers/scientists from Singapore and Malaysia agreed to continue the
exchange of information on the monitoring of ecology and morphology in and
around the SOJ in order to conserve the marine biodiversity of both
countries.
(iv) Emergency Response Plan for Chemical Spill at Malaysia-Singapore
Second Crossing
Pursuant to the 9th Joint Exercise for the Emergency Response Plan for
Chemical Spill at the Malaysia-Singapore Second Crossing, hosted by
Malaysia on 29 October 2013, a post mortem conducted recommended the
enhancement of communications for better co-ordination between
responding agencies. These biennial exercises continue to serve as a good
platform for both countries to test and improve further their existing response
plans.
(v) Emergency Response Plan (ERP) for Chemical Spill In the East Johor
Strait
The first Joint Field Exercise on ERP for Chemical Spill at the East Johor
Strait was successfully organised by Singapore on 9th April 2014. This joint
exercise was a beneficial effort by both countries to demonstrate
preparedness in handling and managing incidents at sea involving the
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transportation of hazardous chemicals. Malaysia will host the next Joint Field
Exercise on ERP for Chemical Spill at the East Johor Strait in 2016.
(vi) Collaboration Between Malaysia and Singapore in the Area of Oil Spill
Prevention and Control in the Straits of Johor
Both countries agreed to collaborate in capacity building and experience
sharing on the prevention and control of oil pollution and investigation
techniques due to incidents resulting from ship-to-ship transfer activities as
well as illegal disposals of oil and oily sludge into the Straits of Johor.
(vii) Collaboration in Training between Environment Institute of Malaysia
(EiMAS) and Singapore Environment Institute (SEI)
The two institutes have conducted several training exchange programmes
and will continue to collaborate in conducting training programmes and
sharing of knowledge in environmental management for the benefit of both
countries.
3. The Ministers also discussed land reclamation projects in the Straits of
Johor and their potential transboundary impacts. Malaysia continued to
exchange information and progress updates on development projects
concerning the Straits of Johor. Malaysia reiterated that it remains committed
in fulfilling its obligations under general principles of international law and in
particular, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and
takes cognisance of the provisions of the 2005 Settlement Agreement
between Malaysia and Singapore for the exchange of information and
discussions on matters affecting Malaysia’s and Singapore’s respective
environments in the Straits of Johor.
4.
While in Malaysia, the Singapore delegation participated in the Annual
MEWR-MNRE Friendly Games on 23rd November 2014. Some 200 staff and
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officials from both Ministries took part in this year’s annual games to renew
old ties and establish new friendships.
5.
The next Malaysia – Singapore AEV in 2015 will be held in Singapore.
Ministry of Natural Resource and the Environment, Malaysia
28 November 2014
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