Finger Pointing

While our hearts go out to those whose loved ones were onboard the ill fated AirAsia QZ8501, those capitalising on the media frenzy to promote themselves deserve utter scorn. Keechiu, if you concur.

In Indonesia, someone is holding the country's Transport Ministry accountable for the disaster. Perhaps it has to do with the refusal for the plane to ascend to a higher altitude - pilot had asked permission to climb to 38,000ft (11,000m) to avoid thick storm clouds. Whatever, opposition politician Syafullah Tamliha put the blame squarely on Transport Minister Ignasius Jonan, "The Ministry of Transport is responsible." If President Joko Widodo weren't still in his honeymoon phase, he'd probably get a tight slap from the co-driver too.

Here at home, Environment Minister Vivian Balakrishnan is not held responsible for the rat infestation at Bukit Batok. Not a squeak from him, the loquacious debater with a propensity for pointing fingers at the ceiling.

Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew is not held responsible for the latest incident at the Circle Line. Affected commuter fumed : "We were distressed, trapped in a smoke-filled train and had no knowledge of what had happened or what to do."

National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan is not held responsible for maintaining inflated public housing prices, writing in his blog, "The shift is not yet complete and 2015 should see greater stability."

Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean is not held responsible for the PR gaffe of policemen cuffing a subdued child. Not a single individual was handcuffed during the night of the Little India riot.

That's the difference between Indonesia and Singapore.