http://www.globalwitness.org/data/files/sh..._sand_final.pdf

sorry, just to add on to alfie's post on the cambodian sand scandal thing.

executive summary:

- NGO argues that singapore's policy and posturing towards sand imports is deplorable
- import of sands causes environmental degradation and does not comply with local , international laws and norms
- our import of sand fuels cronyism and corruption in cambodia




for the busy readers who dont have time to run through on the full report, here's the snapshots of singapore's role.

hope the fallout from this will be contained and there will be no future blowback.

Lets get sand from the Gobi Desert, there will be no further complains and we get to further our ties with China. The Chinese will be so glad that finally they can claim that Singapore is a part of China.

Just don't bring the radioactive ones back. :P

Yes, that is a good idea! This may in turn help to minimise the frequent sand storms which China suffers.

Although this most likely isn't economical viable but i wonder if there is any use for desert sand. The article above did mention the uses of river and sea sand but not desert sand.

Stars, thanks for finding the article.. Much appreciated.. ;)

One should read the supporting documents. All of the documents are official. There is no evidence of any under-table money.

With a leap of faith, suddenly everyone is suggesting that the monies paid by SG govt to official Cambodian entities = environmental disaster. Should SG exercise sovereign control over Cambodian land and waters?

Singapore is only guilty of land reclamation. Why should Singapore stop this practice? False dawn.

More likely organisation need more funds so need sensational article. It isn't sensational when sand gets sold to third world countries that do land reclamation and in those cases, can't even say those transactions exist cos under-table. The intention is specifically to embarrass the government's stance on the environment. The problem is when they do it with flimsy evidence. The usual suspects in Singapore politics will turn it political.

the composition and grain size is important in determining the application that particular sand is suitable for. I think desert sand is usually too fine.

will probably end up with a mud slushie :P

Funny how the Cambodian govt provides the response to the ToC.

"Not a grain of truth in sand export claims" says cambodian govt.

http://theonlinecitizen.com/2010/05/not-a-...ian-government/