Monday, 26 December 2011

TRE Singapore Subway Snags Sidetracked by Race

Monday, December 26, 2011

Singapore Subway Snags Sidetracked by Race

 December 26th, 2011 |  Author: Online Press
(WSJ) – Four severe subway outages in five days and hundreds of thousands of agitated commuters later, Singapore’s beleaguered transport officials might be forgiven for wishing for a turn of luck.
But fate’s a cruel mistress. Even as government mandarins scramble to douse the flames, a ruling People’s Action Party lawmaker inadvertently fanned them with a racially tinged gaffe on live television, sparking a rare spell of public disagreement within party ranks.
Seng Han Thong – a former newspaper editor-turned-politician – said Monday in a panel discussion on the recent failings of subway operator SMRT Corp., that SMRT officials had said last week’s transport chaos was exacerbated by the inability of their Malay and Indian staff to speak with commuters in fluent English…
Nonetheless critics are questioning the government’s hand in the latest disruptions, and probing fundamental assumptions underpinning Singapore’s public-transport framework…
“It is becoming clearer by the day that the way the transport chaos was handled has exposed major cracks in SMRT’s company culture and the regulator’s inability to act on these loopholes early in the game,” PN Balji, former editor of Singapore’s TODAY newspaper, wrote in a commentary published by Yahoo…
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11 Responses to “Singapore Subway Snags Sidetracked by Race”

  • Lim:
    December 26, 2011 at 12:06 pm  (Quote)
    “Seng Han Thong – a former newspaper editor-turned-politician…”
    Is this information correct? I cannot see how Mr Seng could have been a newspaper editor with his lack of the command of language.
    This is a genuine question.
    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 0
  • Seng Harn Tong for President.:
    December 26, 2011 at 12:26 pm  (Quote)
    Obviously something seriously wrong with the education system if the English schooled Malays and Indians cant speak English. Looks like not only is the MRT breaking down but the education system as well. Seng Harn Tong’s fluency of the English language speaks volumes for the Chinese education system. How these people get into GOVT / PAP is totally beyond me. Its no wonder we have a transport system held together by rubber bands and relief bus drivers from China who cant seem to find their destinations. But its OK, as they all speak fluent English, i presume.
    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 31 Thumb down 0
  • Kojakbt:
    December 26, 2011 at 12:30 pm  (Quote)
    Seng Han Thong used to be from SPH’s Zaobao…
    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 0
  • Change:
    December 26, 2011 at 12:32 pm  (Quote)
    The Singapore Gov and the Lee dynasty continue to be indifference to the local population. They basically couldnt care less as they are making millions and offering minimal effort to run the country.
    Anyone in their shoes would probably do the same. Those who are different are those that will be fit to run the country.
    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 0
  • PUTHUCHEARY AVOIDED NS:
    December 26, 2011 at 12:43 pm  (Quote)
    The two problems have brought out into the open a similar public disaffection for the PAP. People are just sick and tired of the party’s disconnect with the ground and almost automatic tendency to cover up cock ups. Any chance they have to show the party up, they will seize. Why? A controlled mainstream media gives them no space to air their grievances publicly. Plus, public figures who utter nonsense – like Saw (Packed? They just don’t choose to use the MRT…) and Seng did – tohroughly deserve their comeuupance.
    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 0
  • Bartholomew:
    December 26, 2011 at 12:46 pm  (Quote)
    Got the chance in GE2011 but the daft 60.1% cocked up the whole thing. Hope that all the mess affecting their lives and their livelihoods will make them “repent” in the next 5 years.
    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 29 Thumb down 0
  • Pung Sai How?:
    December 26, 2011 at 1:51 pm  (Quote)
    Its an evidence of Poor Performance.
    Who will be LKY number 2 after LKY is no more?
    Only the Law minister comes to mind.
    But even him is not the same LKY.
    Thus I worry there will be no LKY 2 .
    Will we see a final ISA in action before retirement?
    Will history record 1 more ISA before retirement?
    This is what is on many people’s minds.
    Just sharing my views.
    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 0
  • pop:
    December 26, 2011 at 2:43 pm  (Quote)
    “Seng Han Thong – a former newspaper editor-turned-politician……
    Yes,chief editor of zao bao.very strong command of chinese language,very arrogant and very very “boh lan yan”.Still remembered many many years afo, the “bird” officer article in zaobao that caused a big hoola.But he’s lucky.other people sure kena sack,what if it’s not “bird” officer being used but some other thing like…..
    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 0
  • DISGUSTED:
    December 26, 2011 at 5:20 pm  (Quote)
    SMRT and the next major event. When PAP’s handyman Gerald Ee presents his findings on Minister and MP Salaries to PM on Dec 30 2011 will be sidetracked
    The issue of SHT will be the major subject that will be mouthed by all the maggots in white.Main Issue.Some will throw SHT under the bus and some will put up a show of pulling him up from under the bus.This is the best choreographed dance routine organised by the maggots for the benefit of the dafts.
    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • DISGUSTED:
    December 26, 2011 at 6:31 pm  (Quote)
    Pung Sai How?: Its an evidence of Poor Performance.Who will be LKY number 2 after LKY is no moreblockquote>
    There’s always Goofy Woody ESM Goh.
    He’s finally realising he has lost his relevance.
    “Swiss Standard” or “More Good Years” and he shares a collective resposibilty with the present PM for the slide from 1st to 3rd world status.
    I wonder how his babysitting business in Marine Parade, last I heard not too good as baby was snoozing in Parliament when PM spoke.
    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • I Love Elmo:
    December 26, 2011 at 9:09 pm  (Quote)
    Many things were side tracked by the racial issues, like the call for the butch to resign over her incompetence to run the train company, the ministerial salary reviews, accountability and responsibility issues of those who get paid huge salaries but screwed up time after time without any ability to resolve issues but made the rest pay and pay ;-)
    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0

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