When the 14-year-old Thai girl was hit by a train at Ang Mo Kio MRT station on 3 April 2011, SMRT was quick to absolve themselves by saying that the installation of the "half-height platform screen doors" (HHPSD) was hampered by working hours of just 2 to 3 hours each night, since it can only be carried out when trains are not in operation. The government brought in thousands of foreign workers to make sure the casinos were swiftly built, but public safety has to take a back seat.
Quite incredulously, SMRT is now arguing that Peneakchanasak Nitcharee, who lost both legs in the accident, "failed to ensure own safety". Their lawyer K Anparasan of KhattarWong said that the teenager "had fallen of her own accord". If she had stood behind the yellow safety line, the plaintiff would have been safe from falling onto the tracks at the MRT station, so claimed the expensive solicitor. Brilliant, just the very excuse for SMRT to scrap the S$126 million HHPSD project. Why spend more when yellow paint does the job just as well? The shareholders will be so happy with the cost savings. ST Electronics Ltd, however, will stand to lose millions from the juicy contract. You win some, you lose some.
SMRT also argued that the accident did not occur during a peak period, implying that MRT stations are deserted at off-peak hours. You can tell these people don't use the trains much. Surprising, they haven't broached the other possibility that pushy Hungry Ghosts could be at fault too. Especially those turned away from free food because of lack of card carrying credentials.
Singaporeans will have to be extra cautious in the event of being run down by a red Ferrari, especially if it's being driven by the CEO of a large public transportation company. They're liable to be sued for failing to ensure their own safety, and ruining the shiny sports job with messy blood stains and miscellaneous body parts. "I'll strive to make Singapore a more caring society", boasted the white haired guy moving into the Istana. Man, has he got a tough job ahead of him.
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I hope our civil servants can come out of their shells and be engaged with society. The OLD civil servant mentality cannot go on.
ReplyDeletehow sad, bottom line is put before safety and people in so many aspect in little red dot.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful $$ingapore !!!
I like the way Ms Saw deflects problems. "So be it", at a recent press conference after the 2nd break in booboo. That seems to be the management's atitude.
ReplyDeletethe white haired guy is talking thru his ass.
ReplyDeletethere is only one way to unify spore, loan the hatchet from Ah Lee Baba and start cracking the numbskulls around him, starting with the biggest idiot that walks with a gait.
I am not siding SMRT. FACT is that the HPSD amounting to more than $150 millions are paid for by LTA NOT SMRT meaning its from tax payers which is even worse. Dont u agree?
ReplyDeleteIt was recently announced that LTA, instead of the operator, will own the rail operating assets. LTA will be in a position to make the decisions on replacing existing trains and operating assets, as well as investing in new trains and operating assets. Does that mean that they should sue LTA instead of SMRT? It's all so confusing. All we know is that Raymond Lim lost his job, but Saw is still in charge. And they should stop using the excuse of buying new trains to increase fares.
ReplyDeleteWill the real Singaporeans stand up, and be responsible instead of waiting for the foreigners CEO to tell us what to do.
ReplyDeleteCan the real Singaporeans CEO stand up and take responsbility
I know this seems insensitive and controversial, but I have a nagging feeling this girl did it on purpose for the money.
ReplyDeletePlease banish the thought that a girl of her age would dare to risk her own life by throwing herself onto the tracks of an oncoming train and have it cut off her legs so badly just to have to fight for due compensation after that.
ReplyDeleteNo. She doesn't come from so bad a background to need to do this.
yes, i was also sad to see SMRT make a silly statement that "it was not during peak hours" therefore the girl must have been repsonsible herself for the accident.
ReplyDeleteIT is really ridiculous statement from the lawyers. Even if it is not during peak period, there are always possibility of localised once off congestions.
As to whether or not the girl was responsible or not, surely the video recordings of the CCTV would have settled that once and for all?
I am appalled by some people's comments and beliefs that a young girl would resort to such gruesome tragic accident just to get money out of it? What sick twisted mind is that? She might not even live to enjoy the stupid money to begin with! Sicko people who are just incapable of genuine empathy and long term suffering as a result of SMRT lack of basic safety provision.
ReplyDeleteLawyers are hired to make arguments, however ridiculous, in an attempt to limit damage. So don't take the arguments out of context.
ReplyDeleteNotwithstanding the above, there's only a few possibilities:
a. It was deliberate, ie either the victim jumped or somebody pushed her;
b. It was accidental.
For a the company cannot take responsibility. Indeed, the company could claim damages.
For b, that's what insurance is for. And SMRT, like any other company, has to defend itself to the utmost, so that the claim from the insurer is minimised.
That's a condition in most insurance contracts.
The HHPSD gates can only be installed at night because the MRT runs before 0600 hrs and stops after 2359 hrs. Can the gates be installed when the MRT trains is running
ReplyDeleteThe author seems to be against all people and corporations who are rich and powerful. He slanted his comment to bring in the president when the above incident has nothing to do with him.
I wonder whether the author work for a rich and powerful corporation. If he does, please resign asap.
in reality, sporeans are actually working for a rich and powerful corporation, famiLee Inc.
ReplyDeleteps: even mischief judge ChanSK is an employee, so was Nathan, and now TT.
If a person waiting for a bus faints and falls onto the road right in front of the bus as it approaches, why blame the bus operator if he is injured?
ReplyDeleteLawyers are Liars! Period.
ReplyDeleteCan someone please replace that ex-DFS salesgirl from the helm and appoint someone more creditable? Sighz
ReplyDelete