There's a lot to learn from Singapore SEA Games

Although security at all the venues is tight, the security personnel are friendly and helpful.

THERE’S no end to learning.

And there’s plenty that Malaysia can learn from Singapore as our country prepares to host the biennial SEA Games in two years’ time.

The motto for the 28th edition of the Games in Singapore is “Celebrate the Extraordinary”. It’s about connecting individuals, communities and countries with their dreams.

Singapore is hosting the Games after a 22-year lapse – and what a wonderful job the tiny island republic of just four million people is doing.

Since my colleagues and I arrived here on June 3, we only have good things to say about the Games – and its organisation.

This is my sixth SEA Games assignment. And the first thing that impressed me was how fast it took us – hardly 30 minutes – to clear the immigration and collect our baggage at the Changi Airport. In the previous Games, it took us about double that time!

The taxi service in Singapore is simply excellent. The taxis are new and clean. The drivers are friendly and will tell you almost everything you need to know about Singapore, especially if you want to know where you can find the best Malay, Chinese or Indian food.

Every taxi is fixed with a meter and they even give you receipts once you reach your destination.

Compare this to the taxi service back home. Most of the taxis are old, badly maintained, smelly and some don’t even have meters.

All the stadiums in Singapore are also litter-free and smoke-free.

Although security at all the stadiums is tight, the security personnel are friendly and helpful.

As journalists chasing deadlines, we are thankful that we can do our work without any hassle as the results are put up fast.

Even Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Jaafar admitted that “Singapore have done a wonderful job hosting the Games”.

“We’ve sent our officials to Singapore to observe and learn the way the Games are organised,” said Tunku Imran.

If that’s the case, then let’s hope that Malaysia, who last hosted the Games in 2001, can do a better job in two years’ time.

The Star Online