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Tag: repairs

  • Osman Sulaiman: Train Defects Saga Shows Limits Of Local Mainstream Media, Lack Of Government Accountability & Transparency

    Osman Sulaiman: Train Defects Saga Shows Limits Of Local Mainstream Media, Lack Of Government Accountability & Transparency

    Most of us would have heard the news about our SMRT trains being exported back to China because of ‘superficial’ hairline cracks.

    Apparently, LTA says that it is of no concern. It tried to downplay the defect. It also mentioned that repair of the trains will take about 7 years and later on clarified that it will take between 3-7 years.

    Interestingly, the news was first reported by foreign media and not by our mainstream media who is supposed to be the citizens first point ofinformation.

    Either they (journalists) are incompetent to sniff out such infos or someone in charge is holding back information to cover up this mess.

    Instead of taking those responsible over these purchases and do a full inquiry, it has decided to keep the matter unknown to the public and hush up these activities (train defects) in an attempt to cover up.

    As these issues involves the life of millions of commuters, it is important that the public is informed of such matters. Afterall, Singaporeans have a stake in the transport system and billions of public funds were used to purchase these trains.

    Our government is never known for its transparency. Where the late LKY would have taken out to dry those responsible over major mishaps, the current leadership has developed a system of shielding those who are responsible.

    Without transparency and a functioning media, we are at the mercy of those who are in position to manipulate the people for its own benefit.

     

    Source: Khan Osman Sulaiman

  • Khaw Boon Wan: Power To HDB To Enter Flat To Carry Out Repairs

    Khaw Boon Wan: Power To HDB To Enter Flat To Carry Out Repairs

    The Housing Board should be given the power to enter a flat in order for repair works to be carried out more promptly, said National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan on Monday.

    He wrote in a blog post: “We need to do more to help our residents who are inconvenienced by their neighbours who refuse to cooperate. Minimally, HDB should be given the power to enter the flat for the purpose of carrying out the necessary investigations and repairs. We will need to amend the legislation to empower the HDB to do so.”

    Each year, about 2,800 – or 30 per cent of – ceiling leak cases take more than three months to resolve due to uncooperative neighbours, he wrote. He was referring to upper-floor residents who refuse entry by the HDB to investigate and carry out repairs for ceiling leaks.

    “In some rare cases, the resolution of the ceiling leak problem could take more than a year. This is just not satisfactory,” he said, adding that in the majority of cases, repair works such as waterproofing have to be done within the upper-floor units.

    “This delays the repair unneccesarily and meanwhile, the lower-floor residents suffer the inconveniences.”

    Mr Khaw added that ceiling leakages make up about a quarter of the complaints that the HDB receives.

    He also pointed out that the HDB’s Goodwill Repair Assistance scheme, which helps residents with subsidised repair costs, has benefited 140,000 households since its inception in 2001. Under the scheme, the HDB bears 50 per cent of the repair costs, with the other half shared equally by upper and lower floor flat owners. On average, flat owners pay about $180 for each ceiling leak repair.

     

    Source: www.straitstimes.com