Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Light In The Tunnel

Note the sentence construction: "On Friday, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said its expenses for the Committee of Inquiry (COI) hearing came up to $4 million - less than the $5.9 million that rail operator SMRT earlier said it had incurred." A superficial read gives the impression that that the COI cost only $4 million, less than $5.9 million reported earlier. The hard truth is that LTA blew $4 million and SMRT blew $5.9 million. A total of $10 million for a frigging puppet show that leaves the train system no better than it was on 15 Dec 2011.

After the embarrassing YOG budget report the authorities seemed to have shied off from a detailed breakdown of the expenses. Most likely the bulk of it went to the lawyers - Allen & Gledhill (LTA) and Drew & Napier (SMRT). The fact that litigators took center stage over technical experts on train systems speaks volumes about the nature and tenor of the inquiry. The technical causes "may never be known with absolute certainty."(Greer, Ove Arup & Partners)

Do we need to spend $10 million to acknowledge that SMRT has failed, among other things, to exercise due diligence and vigilance expected of a public transport operator, and to maintain its network in good and efficient working condition? Much of the shortcomings were painfully obvious when it was shown how low tech cable ties were used to fasten critical components of the power supply system for the trains. Dropped claws, damaged collector shoes and deformed third rails were symptoms of a flawed management regime hell bent on money making, and damned be the engineering fundamentals.

Much of the COI "recommendations" will take years to implement, but one which can be addressed quickly is the frequency of testing of the trains' emergency battery capacities. SMRT is supposed to enhance commuter comfort, such as the availability of air-conditioning systems on the trains and MRT stations, which unavailability caused commuters to be trapped in suffocating pitch black cabins during the breakdown of Dec 2011. The first generation trains were designed with an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) capable of supporting emergency lighting and ventilation requirements for up to 45 minutes. Which means the backup batteries were either never checked for expiry dates, or never fully charged at all. That such a simple task was missed is pathetic reflection of the people in command.

Para 666 of the COI Report notes that "there appears to be a lack of competent mid-level engineers in SMRT" and "the SMRT Board also appeared to be lacking in engineering expertise as they had no engineering or train-focused representation". Enough said.

39 comments:

  1. "there appears to be a lack of competent mid-level engineers in SMRT" and "the SMRT Board also appeared to be lacking in engineering expertise as they had no engineering or train-focused representation".

    Never mind.

    We have many army generals and navy admirals in the pipeline.
    Due to retire soon into the private sector.
    Also, we've not tried putting career bankers into operational positions.
    Maybe this will help.

    ReplyDelete
  2. We are all tired of COI. Their findings and recommendations are not outside of our predictions. Same things that citizens talked about all these while. Why spend so much for nothing. Give the money to help the poor. It is definately more worth the effort. Real dumb move!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It looks like shit.
      It feels like shit.
      It smells like shit.
      It even tastes like shit.

      But it's not shit until a multi-million dollar COI says it's shit.

      Delete
    2. Well said... what to do, we have a eat-shit government and a very supportive Shitty Times.

      Delete
  3. Will this talk about lack of competent engineers be used as an excuse for more foreign talents?

    Like it or not, a lot of money had been wasted and most of them feeding those politically-connected lawyers.

    Now is the time to get things done quick!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same as when we import tons of IT software technicians from India.

      Delete
  4. what abt going after those who should have exercised due diligence in their work? Are they paid to talk cock and walk away when the shit hits the fan?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Letter A (Accountability) is missing from SMRT. What do you expect?
      Is appalling that no one step down from the LTA podium.
      They should change it to LTNA (landtransportnoauthority)

      Delete
  5. I think the conclusion of the COI is worth the effort and the time spent. The $10 million spent is subjective. Without the COI, where all the parties are represented, there will be no end to the blame-game. We all know very well how the LTA and SMRT officials will behave when confronted,if there is no COI. Other than this, the only option available was for the Transport Minister to accept responsibility and direct SMRT to bulk up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The $10 million spent is subjective.
      The $56,000 spent on foldable bikes is subjective.
      The $400,000 spent to rename Marina Bay is subjective.
      The $387 million spent on YOG is subjective.
      Where will the slippery road end?

      Delete
    2. But I still do not believe stupid inquiry can cost so much and for no new discover.

      Delete
    3. .....for no new discovery.

      Delete
    4. Ask for the breakdown in COI cost.

      Total COI cost = $10 million
      Legal cost = ????

      Delete
    5. What to do . We all asked to be screwed, at least the 60% of us.

      Delete
    6. @Anonymous8/07/2012 10:43 AM

      I'm fine if that S$10M came from your pocket. Who the heck are you to tell me that it was worth the effort and time spent when you are not the person who foots the bill? Who do you think you are?

      Your next immediate sentence "The $10 million spent is subjective" said it all when you contradicted yourself. How can something be subjective instead of being objective and yet claimed to be worth the effort and time spent when S$10M was squandered? I don't understand your logic.

      Talk to me, convince me, break them all down into bite pieces and speak to me in baby language if that is what it takes to make me comprehend. You talked so much but you said nothing. Just do me a favour, maybe before you try to even conjure any ideas in your mind, try talking to your closest of closest mate...be it your spouse, parent, sibling, best friend, confidant or your pet. Tell them that you are footing the bill for a COI and you are not even given a budget which at the end of the day, added up to S$10M. What you are going to do is blindly signing a blank cheque and have it mailed. I believe your loved ones would be so impressed with you. Try and please don't stop trying.

      Delete
    7. "I think the conclusion of the COI is worth the effort and the time spent. The $10 million spent is subjective. Without the COI, where all the parties are represented, there will be no end to the blame-game."

      Seriously are you really that gullible ? Since when even after the COI of any typical GLC-related organization investigation, the accused GLC companies take any responsibility and accountability to the public, let alone playing the blame game ? It is always the public that pay for their circus behavior and irresponsible attitude. In fact the ultimate person to blame is all the top management because it is their duty of responsibility, but look at how they so easily get away with it with their nonsense.

      Delete
    8. I have to concur with many who do not believe the S$10 M is well spent.
      The lawyers are the one who had the last laugh.

      Delete
    9. Options available to the Transport Minister:-

      (1) Minister take resonsibility and order SMRT to bulkup( Will you be happy and not crying for blood?)

      (2) Minister convenes a panel of transport engineering expert to look into the failures.- Also incur cost

      (3) PM order a BOI as what happened and revealed the deficiencies of SMRT and the auditing/regulating LTA.

      Delete
  6. Knn not their money, just spend and pat on their cronies and their head n proclaimed they are talent.Knn daft citizen taken for a ride again.We are all "entertained" daily by these big time clowns.

    ReplyDelete
  7. The SMRT Board should take responsibility and resign en masse. Oops sorry, I forgotten here is not Japan, it's North Kor..., oh sorry again, it's Singapore.

    By the way, why is a failed politician "gold digging" in the Board? Do we have the most capable people in charge these days? We ought to be worried.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Back in those days, SMRT was the client while LTA was its project manager. Then when SMRT was publicly listed, LTA became the regulator.

    But SMRT also happens to controlled by the Govt, so how much blame can they shift on SMRT ?

    By imposing fines on SMRT, their balance sheet shows less profit which means cost has gone up. Then they to to PTC to beg for some fare hikes and then it looks eventually the public is paying for its mistakes. Is that not a joke by itself ?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Technical Guy8/07/2012 2:06 PM

    Have you noticed that among the professionals, the highest paid Engineer is ranked lowest?
    Do you agree engineers are always the problem solvers, AFTER things happened?
    Do you know, engineering proposals are always turned down because they cost $$$ or put it in a politically correct way, the proposals are not 'cost effective'.
    Have you come across 'Engineers' who promises the sky and the moon and leave it to the ground technicians to deliver?
    Last but not least are true engineers promoted to a position where they can no longer practise their trade but instead deal with matters that should be handled by the other professions such as financial budgeting, contractual laws, human resource management and a host of non-engineering matters?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In Singapore, the doers will never be promoted to high posts. Those who carry balls and know somebody will be on top.

      Delete
  10. As someone visiting Singapore for a short while - you guys don't know how good you have it here... i've been amazed by the complaining that is going on... take a quick trip to Spain or even your neighbours if you'd like a benchmark. In an unbiased, tourist only view, it seems to me the quality of life here, even if you can't all drive BMWs and have all the material things you'd like, is pretty damn good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As a visitor, you will not be able appreciate how the standard of living has degenerated in the last couple of decades. Then a fresh graduate could afford his first car after 2 years, pay off his house after 15 years, raise a family on one income (except for those DINKs - double income no kids), and really retire at age 55. Oh yes, in the good old days, the ministers don't pay themselves millions.

      Delete
    2. How is a tourist view unbiased when you only see one side of the issue. Singapore has very little room for errors. The last thing we want to see is for this country to go down with those greedy and responsibility-shirking buggers. It's so easy for you to say what you said because you won't be around when our country is on the decline.

      Delete
    3. Oh yeah, life is so good here banks are willing to offer 50 year loans. That's because it takes that long to pay off the affordable "subsidised" housing. In your country, students may bring an apple to your teacher. Here, the teachers accept no less than an iPod from Apple.

      Delete
    4. "As someone visiting Singapore for a short while - you guys don't know how good you have it here... i've been amazed by the complaining that is going on... take a quick trip to Spain or even your neighbours if you'd like a benchmark."


      May I suggest you go to Africa or Iraq to experience harder life there, and if you are lucky, come back to Singapore to proclaim how lucky we are in Singapore because in Africa we could have been mauled by lions and animals, or get decapitated by rebels in Iraq. We have no doubt that ShittyTimes will love to publish your fantastic logic.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous 8/07/2012 2:42 PM

      You are really jesting me. I would be very fair to you since you are so kind to offer your favourable opinions of Singapore.

      Let's say from tomorrow onwards, I'm going to boost Spain's population density to Singapore's by mass immigration, then I would like to hear you say again "In an unbiased, tourist only view, it seems to me the quality of life here, even if you can't all drive BMWs and have all the material things you'd like, is pretty damn good".

      Spain
      Area 505,992 sqkm
      Population 47.2 million
      Density 93/sqkm

      Singapore
      Area 710 sqkm
      Population 5.2 million
      Density 7,315/sqkm

      So to achieve our density so as to achieve your so called "quality of life...is pretty damn good" scenario, you need to introduce another 3.653 billion people into Spain. And to be fair to me, I'm not talking about 3.653 billion Spanish...anyway you don't have this number on planet earth to put together. So you have to have a mix of everyone from everywhere. Try the Chinese from Mainland China, the Indians from the Indian subcontinent, the Indonesians and not forgetting those people from Spain's former colony The Philippines.

      Do me a favour, try doing that first then we can start to have an honest conversation. I'm already being very lenient with you. Maybe you don't believe my kindness. Wait till I bring you that good for nothing Tan Khee Giap and you could do well debating with him on how comfortable it would be to pack 8 million people on this tiny island Singapore. If he wins, then you have to crunch all the numbers once again. You need help, just talk to me. In the meantime, I'm free.

      fish 'n' chips

      Delete
    6. As a tourist, you should just do your sightseeings, enjoy yourself and then go home with fond memories.

      This is a disneyland with death penalty, mind you.

      Delete
  11. Singapore is built to attract visitors so you will not see the problems. Our standard of living is not moving along with the rising costs. Look at cars. Before we buy one, government sucks up nearly 100k from you. In your country, perhaps there are riots over such issue.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And also we are 'forced' to save monies in CPF and the initial plan was to return us when we turn 55. Now, they keep changing rules to defer our rights to withdraw our very own savings when we are old. In your country, surely there will be strong protest and riots.

      Delete
  12. Relax.
    The 'Spanish tourist" is just a PAP troll.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Agree it's a PAP troll, but the replies can be deemed as educational for students reading this blog including those brainwashed by PAP propaganda...

      Delete
  13. Maybe as a tourist, please go & see for yourself any public housing block facing the main road and notice the no. of flags being hung over the facade for our National Day and then compare it with those blocks located behind and see for yourself how many flags are being hung there.

    For your information, most of the flags facing the front main roads are hung by workers engaged by PAP and while those at the back are hung by residents themselves.

    This is how fake our PAP Govt can be when it comes to making the outside world believe ours is such a wonderful country.

    ReplyDelete
  14. "On Friday, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said its expenses for the Committee of Inquiry (COI) hearing came up to $4 million - less than the $5.9 million that rail operator SMRT earlier said it had incurred."

    A real master stroke by LTA,this should be a must read letter for all PR students.LTA has real talent,I hope it is a local.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous8/07/2012 4:26 PM

    U forgot to mention Somali and N.Korea,both countries the people have empty stomach.
    Actually there are more countries much worse than Singapore,but they always like to compare themselves to USA and the West,as their MM and PMs like to do,probably they learn well from PAP,u should pass this msg to PAP as they highly value your opinion.Thank u so much.

    ReplyDelete
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