As if it is not disturbing enough that this Government left totally exposed the Changi MRT depot to the dangers of terrorism, it is now doing the unthinkable - trying to divert attention by claiming that the SMRT is private company and therefore not under its purview.
The latest person to attempt this reprehensible stunt is Law Minister K Shanmugam who said yesterday that the SMRT is not a "government entity" and therefore it is "impossible, and unacceptable, to require the taxpayer to pay for the security of all these profit- making companies."
Dr Chee Soon Juan pointed out in the video below that SMRT is irrefutably a government company. Majority of SMRT shares are owned by the Government. Just because the SMRT is listed and dividends are paid out, it does not mean the company is a private one. The Government still has the final say on how the system operates.
It is completely outrageous for the ministers to try to squirm out of this matter by painting the SMRT to be a private company.
Even if we accept that SMRT is a private company, it must be remembered that the trains do not just service employees and staff of the company. They ferry members of the public. This necessitates the Government's strict involvement in ensuring the safety of commuters.
The PAP is quick (and often unjustifiably so) to seize on accolades about anything Singaporean and cover itself with glory. But when it makes a blunder, its cowardly instincts take over: It finds a scapegoat and points the finger at others.
We saw this in the Mas Selamat howler where police officers were blamed for the debacle and sacked. We see this in the Orchard Road flood where the PUB is made to take the stick. Now the SMRT is made the whipping boy.
Such behaviour is unbecoming and totally juvenile. In a democratic society, the ministers responsible would have been severely disciplined and the ruling party would have had to face the public's wrath.
In Singapore, however, the PAP gets away with such travesty only because it controls the press and puts in place laws that prevent the public from expressing its displeasure. As a result the ministers know that whatever they do and however badly they perform, they are politically protected. This breeds arrogance and complacency, resulting in more mishaps.
The tragedy is that the people end up being the ones paying for the Government's blunders. Meanwhile the ministers live, work and travel in highly secured systems - all paid for by the public.
The SDP is touched by Mr Shanmugam's concern that taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for private security. The Law Minister should rest easy because Singaporeans do not mind paying for security on our MRT trains. What we object to is the use of our money to lavish obscene salaries on ministers who don't deserve them, especially when they make blunder after excruciating blunder.
Singaporeans must increase pressure on the PAP, especially Home Affairs Minister Mr Wong Kan Seng, to hold it responsible for the repeated breaches in our security systems.
We must use the New Media to send messages to the ministers that their evasion of responsibility is completely unacceptable. Singaporeans must not allow the PAP to get away by pinning the latest security fiasco on the SMRT.
Mon 21 Jun 2010 4:05 PM
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dumbo - BP oil spill -- GIC of Spore to be blamed !!!
Obama needs to learn a thing or 2 from these world best and highest paid politician.
2nd rated "Flash in the Pan" Obama taking responsibility for the oil spill caused by BP?
BP is very much a listed company. Based on our World best and highest paid logic, Obama should blame the shareholders, of which GIC is one of them.
Isn't it a great headline .... BP oil spill, Obama holding GIC of Singapore responsible!!!
Mon 21 Jun 2010 10:50 PM
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Robox
As I see it, SMRT is as much of a private company as TCS and the Straits Times are. I actually view them as corporatized, but only to the extent that they pursue profit, yet short of being a private companies outright. Yet, there is a government regulatory body, the MDA, to circumscribe permissble content in the two media outlets.
Similarly, there is justification for some degree of government involvement - and responsibility - in the security on public transport; public security is a public good and despite the SMRT's corporatization, the safety and security of passengers is best regulated by governments.
Isn't the PAP government already making an admission of that fact when the SPF and ISD are now being called in to beef up the SMRT's security services?
Tue 22 Jun 2010 9:13 AM
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maxchew - MRT depots are not key/vital installations
It's now clear that MRT depots are not classified as Key/Vital Installations in SIN and are therefore not specially protected as those that are- eg Jurong oil refineries, gas-producing Senoko, etc. The latter come under the purview of the powerful Vital Installations Div of the SPF headed by a superscale commander and his staff.
BUT after the train bombings in Spain and London not too long ago where many commuters were killed and injured, one would have thought it sensible to also include MRT depots?
Sadly, It would appear that human lives do not take as much priority as high-valued installations as far as the PAP Govt is concerned.
Tue 22 Jun 2010 12:13 PM
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whjho
Hold it, Max Chew.
Ain't the oil refineries and gas producing Senoko owned by private companies?
How can you hold the government (read PAP) accountable? They are public listed companies or private entity to manage their own security and pay the SPF to do so.
Tue 22 Jun 2010 6:05 PM
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localso - localman
The lives of the Singaporeans are much cheaper
than the oil,the gas,the FT and PR.
They die, it is their matter not the government's
matter.
Tue 22 Jun 2010 9:06 PM
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pwaywifyou - GOverntment should have a vested intrested in Prev
Government should have a vested interest in "Prevention" against any or all possible "threats". That should be reason enough to Beef up security at all Train depots.
Just like they beef up security in Airports after the 9/11 incidents ...the same can be said about the Train depot's security.
What about the additional NSF Police officers currently deployed on MRT Trains? They are there for a reason I presume? Then what about security at the Train Depots ..... could there have been a oversight in this matter?
What about all our reservoirs ...... the possibilities are endless. Don’t let Singapore’s Mass Commuters be the next 9/11………..
Wed 23 Jun 2010 12:47 PM
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F C D Chan - Where is the accountability?
Owing to the pathetic excuses given by the goverment in response to the recent security fiasco, i have lost all confidence in its ability to safeguard our homeland security.
Thu 24 Jun 2010 5:44 AM
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g_e - Get-out-of-jail card
PAP: The SMRT is a private company. We say again: PRIVATE company. Therefore the graffiti offence was committed on privately-owned property against a privately-owned asset. Thus this is a civil offence that has nothing whatsoever to do with the government per se. It is a private matter. Ergo, it is entirely up to the SMRT Corporation whether or not they wish to take the matter further and sue the Swiss perpetrator for compensation in our courts.
G.Yeo: Whew! Thank God! No need to cane a foreigner and invite another huge diplomatic incident and international outrage!
KBW: Om mani padme hum! Nearly gave me another heart attack, you know.
WKS: But that doesn't save me from having to explain my fatheaded bungling incompetence....
SDP: Talk is cheap, you are expensive. Resign, you are a waste of space and unfit for purpose!
LHL: Burn chili and onions - that always appeases the Gods.
LKY: Wake me up if you need me to play the blame card and castigate Singaporeans for being inattentive, lazy, complacent security-risks. They need a bloody good dose of mediocre government to show them how lucky they are to have me in charge...
As if it is not disturbing enough that this Government left totally exposed the Changi MRT depot to the dangers of terrorism, it is now doing the unthinkable - trying to divert attention by claiming that the SMRT is private company and therefore not under its purview.
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2nd rated "Flash in the Pan" Obama taking responsibility for the oil spill caused by BP?
BP is very much a listed company. Based on our World best and highest paid logic, Obama should blame the shareholders, of which GIC is one of them.
Isn't it a great headline .... BP oil spill, Obama holding GIC of Singapore responsible!!!