Bryan Lim, vice-chairman of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), has urged Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat and SMRT to take full responsibility for the ongoing issues with Singapore’s train system, following the unprecedented six-day breakdown of the East-West Line in September 2024.

In the statement from the party, Lim stressed that the public deserves full transparency regarding the management of the rail network and an itemised account of the more than S$2.5 billion spent on upgrading the North-South and East-West lines.

In the SDP’s statement, Lim pointed to a series of major incidents in recent years, including the deaths of two SMRT maintenance staff, the flooding of the Bishan MRT tunnel, and the Joo Koon train collision in 2016 and 2017.

He argued that these should have served as clear signals that the 35-year-old rail system required a thorough review to ensure the safety of millions of commuters and staff. Despite these warning signs and the substantial investments made to improve reliability, the recent breakdown reflects deeper, unresolved issues within the system.

Lim noted that former Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan had, in 2017, promised a “quantum improvement” in the rail system’s performance following core replacements. However, seven years later, commuters are still grappling with major disruptions, despite the massive financial outlay.

According to the SDP, this raises serious questions about how effectively these funds have been used and whether SMRT’s focus on profits has compromised public safety.

Adding to public dissatisfaction, public transport fares have steadily increased over recent years. Since 2021, fares have risen by 2.2%, followed by a 2.9% increase in 2022 and a significant 7% hike in 2023. Another fare rise of 6% is expected in December 2024.

Authorities have justified these increases by citing the need to keep operators financially sustainable and ensure the provision of reliable services and fair wages for employees. However, Lim criticised this reasoning, pointing out that despite the rising fares, commuters continue to face significant service disruptions.

Lim further expressed concerns over remarks made by SMRT Chairman Seah Moon Ming, who emphasised the need to balance rail reliability with the cost of maintenance.

The SDP questioned whether this focus on financial considerations was coming at the expense of commuter safety and called for a detailed breakdown of the S$2.5 billion spent on upgrading the rail system.

Lim asserted that Mr Chee  and SMRT must be fully transparent with the public, providing clear explanations for the disruptions and disclosing how the funds were allocated.

Following the six-day disruption, multiple investigations into the incident are now underway. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has launched an investigation into the root cause of the axle box failure that caused the disruption.

This investigation will include a forensic analysis of the component and an evaluation of SMRT’s procedures for fault detection and incident handling.

To support this effort, the LTA has appointed an Expert Advisory Panel (EAP) to review the findings and offer technical advice.

The EAP will be led by Malcolm Dobell, an expert with more than 45 years of experience in railway operations and engineering.

Dobell, who previously served as Head of Train Systems for London Underground, will be joined by a team of experts with extensive knowledge in railway engineering, maintenance, and safety protocols.

The panel’s goal is to ensure that all aspects of the disruption are thoroughly examined, and appropriate recommendations are made to prevent similar incidents in the future.

In addition to the LTA’s investigation, SMRT has also announced the formation of an internal committee to review the East-West Line disruption.

This committee will be chaired by Quek Gim Pew, a former Chief Defence Scientist and SMRT Independent Board Member, with Ng Chin Hwee, former CEO of SIA Engineering Company, serving as the deputy chairman.

The committee will include other independent panel members to provide impartial insights into the incident.

The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB), a department within the Ministry of Transport, is also conducting a separate investigation.

Mr Chee confirmed this in a Facebook post, noting that TSIB’s investigation will focus on safety-related aspects of the disruption. The results of the investigations, which are expected to take a few months, will be made public once completed.

Dr Chee Soon Juan, Secretary-General of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), slammed Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s spouse, Ho Ching, for her assertion that Singapore could accommodate 8 to 10 million people with proper city planning and land reclamation.

In a video message published on 1 October, Dr Chee expressed strong scepticism regarding the narrative of increasing the population, highlighting that the current surge past the 6 million mark had been largely driven by the influx of foreigners, which led to several adverse consequences.

He further highlighted that smaller populations were not inherently negative, drawing examples from some Scandinavian countries that had flourished on the international stage despite their smaller populations and had even produced Nobel Prize laureates.

Ho Ching expressed confidence that with proper city planning, Singapore could accommodate up to 8-10 million people

Last Friday (27 September), in a Facebook post, Madam Ho, who was also the former CEO of Temasek Holdings, highlighted the growing demand for caregivers as the population aged and the need for workers to sustain sectors like construction and engineering, particularly as the workforce shrank due to lower birth rates.

“As we have less children, we need more people from elsewhere to join us to keep this city functioning, from repairing train tracks through the night to serving patients in hospitals through the night. ”

Dr Chee Highlights Risks of Population Growth

In response, Dr Chee recalled his experience of being reprimanded by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan during the last General Election for raising concerns about the implications of a rapidly growing population.

He questioned why Madam Ho, who shared similar views, had not faced the same scrutiny.

In his video, Dr Chee articulated several concerns regarding the proposed increase in population, highlighting the potential negative impacts, including increased demand for food, housing, and transportation, which would result in a significant rise in living costs.

With a larger population, Dr Chee pointed out that more flats, roads, hospitals, and public transportation would need to be constructed, which would ultimately require higher taxes and fees to maintain the necessary infrastructure.

The SDP leader emphasized that an influx of residents would intensify competition for jobs, exerting downward pressure on wages and potentially leading to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment.

Dr Chee further expressed concern over the environmental degradation that would accompany population growth, citing the recent clearing of forests for housing and industrial developments, including Tengah and Kranji Forests.

Dr Chee questioned the ability of existing infrastructure to cope with a growing population, referencing the persistent issues with the MRT system, including breakdowns and safety hazards.

He highlighted the toll that congestion and overpopulation take on the mental health of Singaporeans, noting a rise in reported mental health challenges.

“All this while the ministers live in secluded and luxurious bunglows and villas, far from the madding crowd which we are subjected to every single day.”

“So, when Ho Ching says that we can accommodate up to 10 million people, I’d like to ask her, where and what type of house she lives in?”

Dr Chee Argues for Innovative Economic Solutions Over Traditional Urban Expansion

Regarding the ruling government’s persistent push to increase Singapore’s population to what he considered “unhealthy levels,” Dr Chee suggested that the PAP lacked viable alternatives for fostering economic growth.

He implied that the government resorted to traditional methods of expansion, such as construction and urban development.

He highlighted that the government is fixated on physically expanding the city—“digging, pouring concrete, and erecting structures”—to sustain GDP growth.

This approach, he argued, creates an illusion that Singapore remains a productive economic hub, despite potential downsides.

Dr Chee Advocates for the Value of Smaller Populations: Cites Political Freedom as Key to Innovation and Success

Dr Chee further contended that a smaller population did not necessarily hinder a nation’s success.

He cited several Scandinavian countries and Taiwan, emphasising their global brands and innovations despite their relatively small populations.

Dr Chee connected the success of these nations to their political freedoms, arguing that the ability to think and express oneself freely fostered innovation and societal progress.

He contrasted this with Singapore, where he claimed that the government controlled media and stifled freedom of expression.

He criticised the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) for its centralised control and for limiting the potential of Singaporeans. Dr Chee used the metaphor of a “grotesque monkey” clinging to the nation, suggesting that the PAP hindered progress and growth.

Dr Chee emphasised that the quality of a population—its talent, energy, and potential—was far more important than its size.

He suggested that Singapore possessed the necessary attributes to succeed on a global scale but was held back by the current political landscape.

He urged Singaporeans to engage in critical thinking rather than passively accepting government narratives.

Dr Chee advocated for a more mature and sophisticated approach to governance and civic engagement, encouraging citizens to take an active role in shaping their society.