Singapore stretches rules for Kiwi fun

By JO-MARIE BROWN AND AGENCIES

A New Zealand company is being allowed to set up a reverse bungy in Singapore because the Government there wants to inject some excitement into its citizens' lives.

Reverse Bungy NZ, which operates the Sky Screamer in downtown Auckland and Bungy Extreme in Wellington's city centre, will open a similar ride in Singapore in September.

The granting of a permit to Reverse Bungy NZ is part of an official liberalisation programme designed to shake up the country's uptight image.

People are regularly fined for spitting, jaywalking and not flushing public toilets. The sale of chewing gum has only recently been approved.

In launching the Remake Singapore programme on Saturday, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong said the Government's mind-set had changed to the extent that a reverse bungy would be allowed.

"If we want our people to make more decisions for themselves, and if we are to encourage a derring-do society, we must allow some risk taking and a little excitement," he said.

Simon Dunlop, director of Frontier Sports, who has formed a joint venture with Reverse Bungy NZ, said the ride would be rebranded GMAX and would be set up in Singapore's Clarke Quay.

"We're really thrilled to be taking a bit of New Zealand's culture to Singapore," he said.

Up to three people at a time can be strapped into the reverse bungy cage and then flung upwards by bungy cords, reaching 180km/h.

The company plans to expand into China and South America.