The near-complete dependency on outsiders for all its
necessities like oil, water, foods - and even manpower - weighs
heavily on Singapore's national psyche.
AFTER water,
Singapore is now turning its attention to energy and food as part
of its search for a stable, secured supply of natural
resources.
Since independence, this small island, which depends on the
world for natural resources, had been embarking on this quest, but
the recent population expansion has made it more urgent.
No one here expects it to be able to become ever really
self-sufficient no matter what it does.
It is, however, trying to do the next best thing, reducing the
level of dependence on market uncertainties in supply and
prices.
Recently, the government highlighted some of its efforts,
including the following:
> Energy:
Singapore has taken the first step towards joining the nuclear
energy era.
The government
will study whether it should generate nuclear power to lessen
dependency on imported oil and coal.
> Water:
The fifth and largest water recycling plant was opened on Monday
that will help meet 40% (up from 30%) of Singapore's water
needs.
By 2061, the
country will be fully self-sufficient, thanks to recycled
water.
> Food: A
special Food Fund has been established to help local entrepreneurs
to start high-tech fishing and farming to enhance production of
chicken, pork, fish, eggs, leafy vegetables and
rice.
Since 1965, its near-complete dependency on outsiders for its
necessities like oil, water, food - and even manpower - has weighed
heavily on Singapore's national psyche.
Among some Singaporeans, it has generated a sense of
vulnerability.
“People worry when times are bad, and even when they are good
they worry in case things go bad,” a columnist once wrote.
This is believed to be a major reason for Singaporean families
migrating to larger, resource-rich countries like Australia.
During crises, some Singaporeans talk of re-merger with
Malaysia.
“We worry about the kind of future their children can have on
this island without natural resources,” a Singapore doctor, who
migrated to Sydney with his family, once told me.
He was rich and successful and his children hailed from elite
schools, but these had failed to retain him.
“I want a more stable future for my children,” he said.
That this is a small country with few ground resources was a
reason Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew once gave for his government's
huge accumulation of savings instead of using it on the poor.
Foreign reserves were needed by Singapore more than
resource-rich neighbours to make up for lack of natural assets that
could be a useful cushion during a global crisis.
In this sense Lee was right.
Singapore is money rich but asset poor. The former was being
pursued relentlessly so that it can pay for the resources that it
needs.
And oil and
raw materials, as well as food, are getting more expensive by the
decade.
Globally ranked the world's 20th wealthiest country in terms of
GDP (nominal) per capita, Singapore has the world's ninth largest
foreign reserves, reported at S$275bil.
The trouble is that money is not always a solution in times of
global resources crisis.
In 1974, the price of oil shot up four times as exporting Middle
East countries put an embargo on their sales.
More recently,
oil prices rose sharply and remained at a high
level.
The trouble is
that the supplies of oil, water, food and commodities are
interrupted by scarcity, price adjustments or political
conflicts.
Of the
measures to reduce Singapore's vulnerability, the most ambitious
and controversial is the proposed study on nuclear
energy.
Once
considered impossible for a small, over-crowded city to build a
nuclear reactor, the idea is now being studied.
Some analysts believe that given the top-down politics here, it
is as good as a done deal.
In the past, regional sensitivities had posed an insurmountable
obstacle.
Any accident could have a disastrous impact not only for
Singaporeans but also for people living nearby.
This is no longer so because five of the 10 Asean countries -
including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand - have decided to build
nuclear power plants.
Such plants are proliferating in Asia.
Of the world's total reactors under construction, 70% are in
Asia. China wants 30 more and India another 31 by 2020.
A multi-agency study will begin later this year to decide on its
long-term feasibility for Singa-pore.
The republic has not hesitated to invest some of its money to
buy into companies that produce or refine raw materials,
commodities or agricultural products, but not in any substantial
amounts.
How do Singaporeans feel?
For hard-headed economists, not going nuclear is not a choice,
especially with supply future so uncertain and as Singapore's
population expands further.
“It is very simple.
“Oil and gas
will run out soon, and supplies may quickly become expensive and
inconsistent,” wrote JFD.
“Basically, there is no choice.”
Another
supporter, Winners, said he was all for nuclear
power.
“At least we
don't have to be held ransom by the Middle East suppliers with
their ever-higher oil prices.”
But these are minority voices.
The government faces the prospect of a tough time if they have
to sell the plan to its people, judging by the strong reaction so
far.
One writer commented, “It is good to study all options, but it
is another when it comes to implementation. You can lose
heavily.”
To run such a dangerous reaction, Singapore doesn't need
efficiency, it needs perfection, one Singaporean said, adding,
“And don't forget there are many terrorists running around
looking for a place to bomb.”
One critic simply said: “Right in the midst of five million
people?
“No, it is crazy!”
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/5/8/focus/6209216&sec=focus