Obbana Rajah
On his Facebook page this morning, Jose Raymond, politician of the Singapore People’s Party (SPP), posted about a proposed sea burial site.
The Government looks to have this sea burial site situated at Tanah Merah, very close to the MOE Sea Sports Centre.
He said, “Based on feedback I have received from parents, coaches and members of the sailing fraternity, there is a lot of discomfort in not just the location, but also the way the proposal has been made public”.
He and many others are against the proposed area as that body of water is one that is usually crowded and used by many.
In his post, he added, “In all of these activities, there is a chance of boats capsizing and people having to swim in the waters, with the possibility of ingestion. An open water swimming event has also been previously organised by the Singapore Swimming Association very close to the area which has been announced as the site for the new burial site”.
As a burial site, this raises not only questions of respect to the deceased, but also to the families. It raises concerns for those using the area as ashes might wash onto shore. Also, for those using the water, the water body then becomes contaminated.
A petition, against using that area as a burial site was started five days ago by user ‘Sailing Parent’ on change.org. Within these five days, it has gained about 1476 supporters.
The petition, written to the Director-General of NEA’s Environmental Public Health Division reads:
“Dear Sir,
We support a sea burial facility BUT the proposed site is in a bay shared by two popular sea sports facilities – the MOE Sea Sports Centre and NSRCC Sea Sports Centre. There is also a recreational swimming beach nearby.
On any given weekend, there are 100 to 200 sailing boats, windsurfers and stand-up paddlers using the stretch of water that is down-current from the site. Young children also sail and train in these waters. Boats capsize and people swim in these waters. The sea water they swallow might contain the remnants of someone’s loved one. How would that person’s relatives feel about this possibility?
These are the real stakeholders who should be consulted.
We have many other choices of location for a sea burial facility that is more private and away from areas of public recreation and activity. We strongly urge the NEA to reconsider the decision and find an alternative location.”
Sign the petition here.
obbana@theindependent.sg