Linkedua: Regional collaboration between Malaysia and Singapore to strengthen chemical spill preparedness took centre stage today at the 14th emergency chemical spill simulation exercise held at the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link (Linkedua). The event, organised through the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Committee on the Environment (MSJCE), brought together about 15 agencies from both countries to test and improve inter-agency communication and mobilisation in the event of a hazardous spill.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Department of Environment (DOE) director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar highlighted the significance of the simulation, hosted by Singapore this year, in enhancing response capacity and coordination between the two nations. "This training is very important as it strengthens communication between the two countries and our agencies in mobilising all assets and human resources to address chemical spills," said Wan Abdul Latiff. He added that in two years' time, Malaysia would take on hosting responsibilities.

Wan Abdul Latiff also revealed that an estimated 150,000 tonnes of hazardous chemicals are transported across the Malaysia-Singapore border via Linkedua each year. However, he noted that no crashes involving chemical spills had been reported at the location so far. "Therefore, detailed preparations through simulation exercises are continuously conducted. This is to prevent chemical spill incidents and ensure swift action can be taken," he stated at a press conference today.