Singapore Oceanarium, formerly known as SEA Aquarium, to open on Jul 23
SINGAPORE: The Singapore Oceanarium - previously known as SEA Aquarium - will open to the public on Jul 23 after a three-month facelift.
The new attraction in Sentosa is three times larger, with 22 zones that promise an immersive experience for visitors.
"More than just a new name, Singapore Oceanarium represents a bold transformation into a world-class ocean institute that inspires deeper knowledge, love and action for our oceans," Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) in a media release on Monday (May 26).
The thematic zones include Ocean Wonders, home to one of the world's largest kreisel habitats, housing thousands of moon jellies, as well as Singapore's Coast, which features mangrove-inspired landscapes and interactive habitats that spotlight native biodiversity.
In Ancient Waters and Conquering Land, visitors will be able to see life-sized prehistoric animals and living fossils that trace the story of evolution.
The Spirit of Exploration exhibit houses Jewel of Muscat, a replica of a ninth-century Arabian dhow.
Next to the Singapore Oceanarium is a research and learning centre that aims to further education, marine research and conservation, in partnership with academic institutions.
These include a five-year applied research collaboration with the National University of Singapore and a two-year research collaboration with the Earth Observatory of Singapore at Nanyang Technological University on climate resilience and marine conservation, said RWS.
"Singapore Oceanarium represents the next frontier for marine education and sustainability," said CEO of RWS Tan Hee Teck.
"We have created not just a destination, but a catalyst for change, a place where curiosity transforms into knowledge, and knowledge into real action."
Vice President of the Singapore Oceanarium Lam Xue Ying said the transformation from SEA Aquarium to a "purpose-driven institute" has been years in the making.
"We are dedicated to inspiring a new generation of ocean stewards by taking ocean education and interactive storytelling to the next level, through naturalistic habitats and immersive technology," she added.
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Private individual vehicles without valid VEPs must pay the fine and complete VEP registration before exiting Malaysia, while those with pre-registered but unactivated VEPs will also receive fines and have to pay them before leaving the country, said the transport ministry. #singapore #sgnews #malaysia #malaysianews #VEP ♬ original sound - CNA The enforcement will mark the end of the ongoing grace period where motorists who have yet to apply for the VEP are given warning notices. Malaysia had announced last May that all foreign-registered vehicles entering the country by land from Singapore would be required to use VEPs from October 2024. Will errant motorists' cars be towed away if they do not pay the fine? Loke gave the assurance that Malaysia will not resort to towing away vehicles if drivers refuse to pay the fine imposed, citing the country's 'very close relationship' with Singapore. 'We are not going towards that, don't frighten tourists … We welcome Singaporean tourists to come to Malaysia, especially Johor Bahru,' he said on Wednesday. Is there a stiffer penalty for repeat offenders? When asked whether repeat offenders would face a heavier penalty, Loke responded that there is 'no such thing' as a second offence. He explained that the offence of flouting the VEP rule is compoundable with a fine of RM300. The errant driver will immediately be required to register for a VEP before being allowed to leave Malaysia, so the issue of a repeat offence does not arise. 'If they do not want to pay the compound, they want to challenge it, then they can go to court but the court can give them a fine of up to RM2,000 and six months jail because it is part of the law,' he said. Before Wednesday's announcement of the fine, the Malaysia government had similarly said last year that motorists who fail to install a VEP may be fined up to RM2,000 or jailed for up to six months. 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The VEP refers to a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag used to track foreign vehicles and note if their drivers have outstanding fines and traffic offences in Malaysia. Once an application is approved, what can drivers do? Once the application is approved, drivers will receive an email notification to choose a method of collecting the VEP RFID tag – either couriered by post to your address, or self-collection at one of the four VEP collection centres. After making the pick, drivers will need to make payment online. This can be done by credit card. The tag costs RM10 excluding delivery and service charges. There are four VEP centres in total - three are in Johor Bahru while one is in Woodlands. All four centres assist drivers with RFID tag installation but these are done by appointment only. Two centres - at Danga Bay in Johor Bahru and Woodlands in Singapore - allow drivers to make enquiries. 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