Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Engineering Takes A Back Step

"After an extensive search and selection process, we are pleased that we have someone of Desmond's background and calibre joining SMRT as the new CEO," was the announcement from the rail operator's Board of Directors. Problem here is that their anointed one is not even a practising engineer (Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, Master's degree in Public Administration). Which means the $10 million report of the Commission of Inquiry that came up with various engineering issues to be addressed is as good as being trashed, cast aside like pearls before swine.

You would think that with the fat salary that comes with the job, it would be a cinch to hire someone with the track record and qualifications in running a transportation engineering company. Surely we are not the only country in the world with a mass transit rail system. Perhaps the directors at SMRT would care to show us who else were considered for the challenging task ahead. For all we know, maybe the selection criteria were tailored the way the specification was drawn up for foldable bikes at NParks.

When Yong Pung How's daughter was made the first CEO of IDA, even she was aware she was ill qualified for the information technology appointment. Hence her infamous repartee, "I may not know what CDMA stands for, but I can always hire someone who does." Do we really need a repeat of that fiasco at SMRT? What we need is someone like interim CEO Tan Ek Kia (Bachelor of Science (Mechanical Engineering)), a seasoned professional with more than 30 years of experience in design, engineering and construction, project management, as well as being a Chartered Engineer with the UK Engineering Council and a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers, Malaysia.

SMRT's net profit for the latest financial year shrunk by 25.6 percent to $119.9 million. The fourth quarter net profit ended March 31 dropped 59 percent to $13.9 million from the previous year. Perhaps this could  be the real justification to bring onboard another compliant pen pusher. Once again, profits and shareholder dividends take precedence over engineering concerns.

Phaik Saw Hwa must be regretting her hasty decision to resign, a well compensated seat which paid $1.85 million in 2010. After all, she was never fingered for the failures at the tracks, specifically the double whammy train breakdowns in mid-December. If there's one thing she does well, it's making money for the board. At the sacrifice of maintenance budgets and pesky details like falling third rails. Like she used to say, the people can always take the next train.

44 comments:

  1. I will give Desmond Kuek benefit of doubt and time, hopefully he will get things back on track. Anybody will some credentials will be a lot better compared to the old windbag. Wonder how she maanged to hold on to that job for so long.

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  2. They should really put in top talent here (FT or a local seasoned talent) Enough cronies.

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    1. Fully agree. This is the best opportunity to prove that foreign talent can bring us skills that we don't have, whether from UK, Japan or Hongkong, countries which have extensive experience managing a rail system.

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    2. clearly someone from Japan or HK is the best.

      For local.... there are many more capable engineers available.

      end day.. wat a joke.

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  3. He was also the Perm Sec of EWR from 2010 to 2012.

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    Replies
    1. Then how come his name was not mentioned during the Orchard Road floods? Or fingered for the lapse in flood control management? Does he have a powerful sponsor like the last CEO?

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    2. Because the first of the 2 main guiding principles among the elite admin service officers and politicians (most of whom were ex-civil masters in one form or another) is...."the buck always stops below me". I will spare all by not repeating their 2nd principle.

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    3. The way meritocratic system works in civil service: "Scholars" are good until proven otherwise, whereas "peasants" are mediocre until proven otherwise. In a fair system, everyone is fallable but in a skewed system, some people behave like god. What relevant qualifications or skills? They are god k.

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    4. The advice PSC hands out to scholars before they depart for their studies:
      "Knowledge is power, and power corrupts. So study hard and be evil."

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  4. Ah Hwa didn't "sacrifice" the maintenance budgets, she just didn't increase them in tandem with inflation and the increase in riderships. Now that Singapore has become the richest country in the world, people like Ah Hwa should be rewarded for helping the government gains the bragging rights. Anyway, thank goodness, she has already left on a previous train.

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    Replies
    1. http://isaw-isphy.com/2012/06/01/taking-a-stand-my-experience-with-the-coi/

      But she still makes her stand that she's misquoted.
      All I know is that for an incident like the Dec saga where nobody died, we have to spent 10m for a COI just for some facts that we already know. The truth that didn't emerge is that the regulator has been sleeping on the job, and no head has rolled. This cozy relationship is like the Fukushima's case where the regulator and operator were in complacent collusion and did their citizens a great disservice.

      Apparently, the bucks stop with the taxpayers after they paid $1.1 billion to bail them out, $10m on COI, and more acquisition spree for Comfort-Delgro group.

      I also want to be million dollar salaried CEO with guaranteed bonuses. Who doesn't know how to do an unaccountable job that pays well.

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  5. In the bad old Colonial days, civil servants who cause loss of public funds through negligence or incompetence are "surcharged" with the loss. The top dogs obviously do not want to be held responsible. So the buck has to be shifted to the poor subordinates and the whole fiasco can then whitewashed.

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  6. Singapore is looking more like Myanmar. Just don't understand why is there need to have another ex-army guy with no private sector experience running a company with essential functions. We already have too many of these clowns in the government already. So far, their presence has not been a blessing to the country, just like in Myanmar.

    This is cronyism, not meritocracy!

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    Replies
    1. In good times pay them well and keep them. When freek election,riots, etc occurs, mobilise the generals who will then declare martial law and mobilise NS Men, you have everything under control. This has already been planned long ago.

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    2. What NS men will be willing to report to a mobilization station

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  7. What occupies the last 6 pages of SMRT's Emergency Manual?

    The bus timetables.

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  8. What has experience in the military or being a top scholar got to do with running a company like SMRT? With the way things are going, I fear the worst is yet to come!

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    Replies
    1. The Kim Jong-il look-alike at NOL has already shown the way how things will be like. But perhaps he is an isolated case.

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    2. Do you recall the fate of those generals who parachuted into SQ ? It was common knowledge they were not streetsmart and did not add value. Fortunately for SQ, those generals departed ahead of schedule.
      Let's hope we see the same in SMRT if this bloke fails to deliver.


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    3. There is another bloke at A*Star. Billions of dollars budget each year and what has his team delivered that is of global prominence? If the monies that went into feeding all the elite researchers under the charge of a former general are channelled to growing local SMEs, the chance of success may be higher.

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  9. I am tired, really tired of all the negativity from all the people.
    I may have no specialist or outstanding knowledge of any particular trade, but then, I also ride on MRT, Buses and Taxi. Just like I enjoy music and attend concert but know nothing about notes, rhyme and play no musical instrument or knows what they are called. But, I know how to appreciate the musicians and the tune they play. Likewise, I can appreciate the people that work under me and motivate them to do their best. Eg, the train drivers can report and tell me the train and rail situation. The station controller can contribute ideas and the executives will give me their suggestions and ideas. And all I need to do is to do my best to protect them from blames and allegations. Who is to say or insinuate that I have no experience or competency to be appointed to any post.

    To be honest and frank with You people, if I am given an appointment, who are You to question my competency? My boss appoints and pays me, You envy? Be reminded, I can be appointed to anywhere in any top position and do a perfect job, my boss will attest to that anytime.

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    1. I agree:

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtDmYeqfcYM&feature=fvwrel

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    2. All right bro, whatever you say I defend yr right to earn 50 cents (er I mean yr right to free speech, which is what the boss who appointed you does not believe in).

      But just a thot about this " my boss appointed me, you envy" statement. Do you think the North Koreans envy Kim Jong Un, or his father? They were "annointed" (er, I mean "appointed", like you said). Have fun collecting yr 50 cents, brigadier :) and remember you can earn more working for the CCP on weibo,

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    3. Likewise, HoJinx shares your sentiments.
      Since she is appointed CEO of Temasek, who are we to question her competency? And by the way, her boss is the emperor, so no arguments. How about u ?

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    4. Cool story bro. I also ride bus/mrt/taxis. I am also capable of talking to people. I can appreciate other people's work, too. So can almost everyone else here. Why should the poor guy at the control station do your job for you by suggesting things? What value do you add?

      See, unlike you, most of us actually need skills to earn our keep. I am an expert in scheduling/resource management and optimization. I am published in that field. I have specialist knowledge and pick up more every single day. I am a decent speaker and could explain complicated engineering solutions to laymen. I design and test engineering systems to do all sorts of complicated things but are simple to implement.

      I have motivated and train all sorts of people under me. Some of these people went out to become excellent in their fields. I can see very expensive and difficult problems coming from miles away and I avoid them. I get no credit for doing any of those things, because it is my duty, and it is my job. I also expect the same for those that work with me.

      I'm paid far less than you will be, but I shut the fuck up and do my job. I get things done. I know what makes me special. What makes you special?

      You know what's my problem with you people? Mediocrity. Too much talk. And you're not even good at talking. Too little action because you are incapable. Yet, you think you're so much better than the rest of us. It's not envy; it's disgust.

      Also, unlike you, I can also play musical instruments... well admittedly, not very well but I could. I know rhyme, I know meter, and can write lyrics. So bitch, please. Get off your high horse, and get to work.

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    5. Amen brother! Amen!

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  10. SMRT Jokes
    ------------

    Every CEO search is like looking for a black cat in a dark room;

    SMRT's search is like looking for a black cat in a dark room, but the cat isn't there;

    Millionaire-In-White's search is like looking for a black cat in a dark room;
    The cat isn't there, but you keep shouting "I've found it! I've found it!"

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  11. If you belong to the inner circle, you are protected. Worse case scenario is you leave: "for personal reasons"

    If you belong to the periphery of this circle, you are moved laterally, and suffer no loss in income.

    If you are outer circle, you can get hanged and dragged in full view of the public. eg like SPH guy who faces court.

    If you are graded staff... bless you, you will be crucified, burnt, shoved and never ever able to find employment for the next 10 years. All this after an official inquiry of course, with unionists invited to attend and witness the spectacle of an employee being hanged.

    The anointed is far higher than being elitist.

    Goal in life: get anointed.

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  12. SMRT Jokes
    -----------

    Q. What do you call an empty seat on an MRT train?
    A. A bloody miracle.

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    Replies
    1. What's the difference between an MRT train and a stopped clock?

      For two minutes a day, a stopped clock is actually right on time.

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    2. What is the similarity between an MRT train and a magic carpet?

      A. They both only work in fairy tales.

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    3. How do you overtake an MRT trains?
      Walk.

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    4. What do you call the shock absorbers on an MRT train?
      Passengers.

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  13. What do you call a punctual person who says he takes the MRT?

    A liar.

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    Replies
    1. or could be the most kiasu with 1 hr contingency added to travelling time...

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  14. Maybe not a practising engineer but his BA and MA are in Engineering Science (Oxford). Link here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desmond_Kuek_Bak_Chye

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    Replies
    1. Hallelujah!
      We are saved!

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    2. Another paper based general who spent more time in the classroom than in the field. He should go far... the next PM?

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    3. I understand that MAs from Oxford (and also Cambridge) are not really conferred based on study / thesis, but is automatically given 5 years after the bachelor's degree has been conferred. So, it is like 2 degrees for the price and duration of 1 undergrad degree. Anyone care to confirm or dispute this?

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    4. Wikipedia says this of Oxford University MA degree:
      "The degree of Master of Arts is awarded to BAs and BFAs seven years after matriculation, without further examination, upon the payment of a nominal fee."

      So, the next time you see someone with BA and MA from Oxford, don't be fooled. He merely paid a nominal fee for the MA degree!

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    5. Too bad he is not being a nominal salary.

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    6. Kuek will claim that his salary is nominal compared with a Minister's or his PS salary.

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  15. i prefer he marries FTW...assuming he's single

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  16. In Sin where we laud meritocracy we forget it often means cronyism (to self perpetuate 'meritocracy') - yet we blame the Brits for their 'old boy' networks.

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