Why
not, especially SMRT has already admitted that they are also responsible for
the strike by Chinese drivers. The Ministry of Manpower has criticised SMRT for
the mishandling and mismanagement of the Chinese drivers’ demand.
Bus
services are part of the public transport system. When the train services were
disrupted or delayed, SMRT and SBS Transit received fines from the Authority. Now, the SMRT’s bus services are affected during
and after the strike. It is fair that the
management of SMRT should be fined or charged for causing inconvenience to
commuters. At least, an official warning
from the Authority is the minimum.
Whether
it is a simple case of mismanagement of human resources or the failure of
senior management judgement of the situation, it all comes back to the performance
of SMRT. It fails to check on the
potential risk of a strike that will affect the efficiency of Singapore public
transport system. Land Transport Authority,
when reviewing and assessing the performance of SMRT, should consider SMRT’s ability
in the management and prevention of a strike.
Middle ground
and basic values
PM
Lee has stressed a lot on middle ground and basic values recently. Speaking at a PAP’s conference last Sunday,
he said “that as the country re-examines fundamental questions about its
future, it must not "go overboard" and abandon the values that have
got Singapore to where it is now. “ #1
Middle
ground means providing the basic and efficient public transport services to
Singaporeans. These are the fundamental
values. And Singapore seems to have difficulties solving these challenges.
In
the same PAP’s conference, a party member raised the same questions about
values:
“To do so, Mr Lye called for the ruling PAP to return to "basics" by demonstrating more heart in policies, while communicating those to Singaporeans and connecting with them.
"At the national level, we need to communicate better and highlight the heart in our policies," said the 50-year-old. "We spend more time talking about the F1 race, explaining the IRs (Integrated Resorts) than we did (about) the population policies. In Aljunied, we must be prepared to argue for policies that are different from the Government, even if they are somewhat similar to the Opposition's."
The PAP also has to address a perception among some members of the public that the party's transport and housing policies are aimed at maximising profits, he argued. “#2
PM
Lee should ask himself whether his government is moving away from the middle
ground and basic values at the first place, rather than talking about “"go
overboard" and abandon the values.” He and his government are aiming at the wrong
target.
Economic growth
and meritocracy
If
SMRT is subject to the same meritocracy principle, it should share the same responsibility
as the Chinese drivers. Mismanagement, mishandling and misjudge the situation
show the poor administration of the top management at SMRT. Some Chinese drivers
will go to jail; more already sent home and is there anything for the SMRT management
besides criticisms?
Remember
the case of Mas Selamat. How do the public view the case? PM Lee should know clearly
from the result of GE2011.
PM
Lee is quick to pass comment on the unfortunate Jurong Shipyard accident, but
we have yet to hear his views on the SMRT strike.
“Pushing back against arguments that a focus on economic growth and a system based on meritocracy has harmed Singapore, Mr Lee said that Singaporeans who think that the Government over-emphasises growth do not appreciate how a lack of growth will impact the country.” #1
May
be he will re-think and rephrase his above statement when commenting on the
SMRT strike. Has the government handling of the strike so far achieved the balance
and trade-off of meritocracy and economic growth in the eyes of Singaporeans
and foreigners, especially the Chinese?
#1
#2
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