S$6m to be spent enhancing security at depots, announces CEO
Updated 05:19 PM Aug 22, 2011
SINGAPORE - In a press conference this afternoon, SMRT CEO Saw Phaik Hwa said SMRT will take "full responsibility" for last week's security breach at Bishan depot, which saw a train vandalised with graffiti.
Said SMRT CEO Saw: "No more finger-pointing. As the incident took place at our premises, SMRT will take full responsibility."
The transport operator will be convening a committee to conduct a review on the company's security management, she added. "Management will take on a more active role instead of relying solely on security agencies."
All interiors and exteriors of all trains will be "100-per-cent checked" before they leave the depots, while the perimeter of each depot will be thoroughly inspected every day, she said.
It was also announced today that SMRT will spend about S$6 million to enhance security - including on fences with motion sensors, security cameras, and better lighting - at all three train depots.
"We cannot have another accident," said Ms Saw, who added that they still do not have the full details of what happened, and are waiting for police to finish conducting their investigations.
Last week's incident was the second case of vandalism in two years, with SMRT having been fined S$50,000 in February for a security lapse that resulted in an MRT train being defaced in May last year. That incident had prompted a wide-ranging discussion about security at key installations.
TALKBACK 1- 20 of 20 responses to "SMRT will take 'full responsibility' for recent vandalism case"
Commuter
Updated 03:44 AM August 23, 2011
Folks, perhaps this is another of their isolated incident. Don't fine them instead, decrease our fare by 2.8% to sink into them the seriousness of their complacency.
Report Abuse
Greg Lee
Updated 01:33 AM August 23, 2011
Thank you SMRT for being transparent about it and not afraid to tell the public what actually took place. I hope the perpetrator(s) will be arrested in quick time.
On the other hand, I am wondering what happen to the case of the 6 double-decker buses that caught fire. Why is SBS so tight-lipped about it?
Report Abuse
Risk Assessment
Updated 12:29 AM August 23, 2011
"The transport operator will be convening a committee to conduct a review on the company's security management, she added. "Management will take on a more active role instead of relying solely on security agencies."
All the while SMRT have been using "A" graded security agencies. What happen to the 2 previous security agencies, i.e. Premier Security & Ademco that SMRT having been using? All these companies have security experts to help you do the job.
Report Abuse
Passer By
Updated 11:53 PM August 22, 2011
I would like to suggest a proposal:
Reverse the approved fare hike as a punishment. This will be a win-win situation. Punishment given and passengers get remain at current (if lower, better) rates.
Report Abuse
SgCapricorn
Updated 11:52 PM August 22, 2011
Well, so far, the only remedy seen was the Swiss roll. Perhaps, this time round, we will have the Singapore sling!
Of course, if all fails, then the fall back is a FINE ending.
(Heads roll, bottoms sling, and body fine - could be the theme for a new MRT jingle.)
Report Abuse
Frederick
Updated 11:18 PM August 22, 2011
When a company skimped and compromised on efficiency, welfare of public and security to focus on bottomline, we should expect that to happen. There is no in-house security honcho but another of the many duties lump it under a person call Vice-President of Communications....... While actual security work is outsourced to a private security co which most probably successfully tendered at the lowest price and utimately gets lousiest security personnels doing the job. It is just waiting to happen.
At least, the CEO takes full responsibilty unlike our WKS brushing it off in Parliament. Still we cannot accept such a mistake again after the first one caused such a storm. It is complacency right from the top, politically as well.
Do we want another dumb President who will not voice out loudly and have moral courage to tick off sloppiness but to protect their own kind by remaining silent or at most raise very polite questions? Those who advocate a non-confrontational and constitutionally-correct President, this is what will continue to happen and more to come!!!
Report Abuse
terencespot
Updated 11:18 PM August 22, 2011
"...get fined, so be it"... What a haughty statement by the SMRT CEO Saw.
Apparently she has not understand the seriousness of this intrusion. It shows how a big corporate is not taking our Home Minister's message on terrorism seriously.
It's not about the fine, It's about the safety concerning thousands of commuters who are travelling regularly.
Its about time our Home Affairs Minister go down hard on the SMRT heads. Lets not wait for disaster to occur. Its not about FINEs, It's about LIVES!
Report Abuse
ERG
Updated 11:09 PM August 22, 2011
Taking responsibility?
In the Singapore context, and after the Wong Kan Seng/Mas Selamat affair, this could mean absolutely nothing.
Just like SMRT (under her) pointed accusing fingers at the security agents, and now she says that there will be no finger-pointing.
You just did!
Double talk, PAP-style...
Report Abuse
Lincoln
Updated 10:32 PM August 22, 2011
I'm wondering why there are no calls for the vandal to take responsibility??
Report Abuse
George Yeo for CEO SMRT?
Updated 09:42 PM August 22, 2011
Why not?
"full responsibility"
Updated 09:40 PM August 22, 2011
Meaning, don't fire her even though this is the 2nd time?
When will she step down?
When a train got into real trouble because of security breach and someone ("double touch wood") gets injured?
Report Abuse
Sure?
Updated 09:29 PM August 22, 2011
CEO should step down to take responsibility. As a key public transport operator, how can such things happen? This is tantamont to SAF not securing the camps well and allowing civilians to enter and steal weapons. Fare hike all the time. Where the money go to?
Report Abuse
Sinkee
Updated 09:14 PM August 22, 2011
Die liao..another fare hike coming
Report Abuse
JJ
Updated 07:41 PM August 22, 2011
She's STILL the CEO of SMRT?
It's time for a change.
Report Abuse
Resign!
Updated 06:38 PM August 22, 2011
Taking responsibility and no finger pointing, and announcing merely 6 million dollars of measures? What kind of measure is this? Imagine if the security beech was a Terrorist attack and lives of people are involved. This is management incompetency. Taking responsibility means the CEO should RESIGN and make way for a better one pls! How many more Mistakes are going to happen to make u understand ??
Report Abuse
Resign!
Updated 06:33 PM August 22, 2011
Taking responsibility and no finger pointing, and announcing merely 6 million dollars of measures? What kind of measure is this? Imagine if the security beech was a Terrorist attack and lives of people are involved. This is management incompetency. Taking responsibility means the CEO should RESIGN and make way for a better one pls! How many more Mistakes are going to happen to make u understand ??
Report Abuse
RESIGNPLS
Updated 06:31 PM August 22, 2011
Taking responsibility and no finger pointing, and announcing merely 6 million dollars of measures? What kind of measure is this? Imagine if the security beech was a Terrorist attack and lives of people are involved. This is management incompetency. Taking responsibility means the CEO should RESIGN and make way for a better one pls! How many more Mistakes are going to happen to make u understand ??
Report Abuse
joe
Updated 06:12 PM August 22, 2011
SMRT also announced that it is reviewing security in an independent committee charied by the CEO. What I don't understand is how is that independent? Very worrying
Report Abuse
Scan The Horizon
Updated 06:06 PM August 22, 2011
"Management will take on a more active role instead of relying solely on security agencies."
What a hard and bitter way to learn a lesson.
I feel sorry for you as security management is not your forte.
Report Abuse
Patrick
Updated 05:31 PM August 22, 2011
This is good to hear. Stop trying to shift the blame to the security agency.
SMRT is ultimately responsible for its own security.
PS. By the way, the motion sensors should have been installed a long time ago.
Source: TODAYonline | Singapore | SMRT will take 'full responsibility' for recent vandalism case
[/size]
Linear Mode
