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Singapore, 14 January 2015 - Singapore investment company Temasek is partnering the Singapore Government to spearhead the rejuvenation of Mandai into an integrated wildlife and nature heritage precinct in Singapore.
Mandai is home to the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and River Safari. These wildlife attractions with their signature open, naturalistic habitats, together with the Jurong Bird Park, are owned and operated by Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS), a Temasek subsidiary.
Around 2010, Temasek responded to the Singapore Tourism Board's invitation to explore concepts for Mandai. The site to be developed is outside the Nature Reserves. It includes the former Mandai orchid farm and an abandoned village, and is along the way to the existing WRS attractions.
To gather ideas and explore possibilities, Temasek has been in discussions with relevant government agencies, nature experts, leading institutions, academic and other potential partners. In response to consumer surveys that pointed to strong public interest in nature attractions, study trips were undertaken to understand best practices and experiences of various nature attractions around the world. Based on these initial inputs, Temasek has proposed a concept that integrates the designated site with the current WRS attractions.
Mr Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara, Head, Enterprise Development Group at Temasek, said, “We embrace the Government's vision to further develop Mandai into a nature destination for recreation, education and conservation. This fits in with the three wildlife attractions that WRS already operates in the area. Our proposal seeks to build carefully and thoughtfully on this wildlife heritage in Mandai for present and future generations."
He added, “We see the new Mandai as a haven for our broader community of Singaporeans and visitors, young and old, to enjoy nature in a fun and inspiring way. We aim to do this through an integrated, sustainable and inclusive approach, with Mandai developing as a nature destination to celebrate and protect our biodiversity. We would very much like to build on the concept from the National Parks Board of Singapore as a city in a garden, and also our rainforest and wildlife heritage in Mandai.”
Ms Claire Chiang, Chairman of Wildlife Reserves Singapore, also noted: “We are excited to be part of the proposal to enhance Mandai as a precinct for nature and wildlife. Our Zoo, Night Safari, River Safari and Bird Park are very popular – they are packed during weekends and holidays. This reflects strong public demand for wildlife attractions set in natural habitats. We are looking forward to this as an opportunity to further improve and innovate on the visitor experience, and create more green space for free public access.”
Temasek is working with the National University of Singapore, including the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment of the development, and to explore and develop sustainable solutions in the areas of water and energy use, design and the environment.
The proposed development in Mandai is expected to be completed in phases over a decade or so. It will be a multi-generation endeavour that will bring together urban planning, ecology and technology expertise to build on and conserve our nature heritage in Mandai.
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About Temasek
Incorporated in 1974, Temasek is an investment company based in Singapore, with a S$223 billion portfolio as at 31 March 2014.
Temasek's portfolio covers a broad spectrum of sectors: financial services; transportation, logistics and industrials; telecommunications, media & technology; life sciences, consumer & real estate; energy & resources. Its investment themes reflect Temasek's perspectives on the long term trends:
Temasek's compounded annualised Total Shareholder Return since inception in 1974 is 16% in Singapore Dollar terms, or 18% in US Dollar terms.
The company has had a corporate credit rating of AAA/Aaa since its inaugural credit rating in 2004, by rating agencies Standard & Poor's and Moody's respectively.
Temasek has offices in 11 cities around the world, including São Paulo and Mexico City in Latin America; and London and New York, which both opened in 2014. The remaining offices are all in Asia, including China and India.
For more information on Temasek, please visit www.temasek.com.sg.
For the latest Temasek Review, please visit www.temasekreview.com.sg.
