Tuas is Singapore's version of Chernobyl. A district almost completely devoted to heavy industries, Tuas is where chemicals, electronics, heavy equipment and machinery are manufactures. It is also a district that has little room for any except work, work and more work, a necessary evil that sustains Singapore's progress and development. Isolated in the Western corner of Singapore, workers in Tuas often have to travel a substantial distance in order to commute from home to work and back. The pain of traveling is eased by the feeder bus services that carry workers to Tuas from nearby MRT stations in Boon Lay, Chinese Gardens and Jurong East.
History
"Tuas" is a Malay word that refers to a fishing method used by Malay fishermen in pre-modern Singapore. In this method, fishermen used coconut fronds and leaves to lure fish into the nets that were submerged underwater. These fishermen were later relocated to HDB estates, when Tuas was being developed for industrial reasons.
Industrial accidents are more common in Tuas than in any other part of Singapore, due to the amounts of chemicals used and produced in the area. Just this year, Tuas experienced 2 chemical blasts on the same day. Chemical spills also occur frequently. Fortunately, because of the high safety measures taken in these factories, such accidents do not usually result in casualties.
Industries
Most of Tuas' area is covered by industrial buildings. There are a few designated industrial parks in the area, such as the Tuas Biotechnology Parks. In Tuas, you the factories of many large Multi-National Corporations (MNCs) such as Sony, Hitach, Compact and Epson. There are also national industries, such as Singapore Tin Industries and Tuas Incineration Plant.
Recreation
There are some areas for recreation in Tuas. The largest and most significant of these is Raffles Country Club, which is located on Tuas' coast. The club's compound is large, with a vast golf course.
Tuas is also one of Singapore's gateways to Malaysia. The Tuas 2nd link, a bridge leading to Malaysia, was opened in 1998, making road travel to Malaysia more convenient. The 2nd link also eases the heavy traffic on the Causeway, Singapore's first bridge to Malaysia that is located in Woodlands.
Other Informations in Tuas District Guide