SINGAPORE: Last Friday (4 Oct), SMRT addressed concerns regarding the flooring in some of its trains through a Facebook post, explaining that the surfaces may appear “dull and spotty” due to dirt accumulation trapped within the sealant.

The train operator outlined the steps being taken to restore the flooring to a cleaner condition.

Accompanying the post were photos showing SMRT workers cleaning the fourth-generation C151A trains.

After the initial cleaning is done, workers will then apply a fresh layer of sealant on the floor.

The cleaning process involves two steps: first, scrubbing away the trapped dirt, followed by the application of a fresh layer of sealant.

SMRT also noted that this process has been completed on most trains in the C151A fleet.

While many netizens expressed appreciation for SMRT’s efforts to enhance the appearance of train floors, some suggested extending cleaning maintenance to various stations.

One user pointed out the presence of thick dust and grime, particularly in high-traffic areas such as Orchard, Dhoby Ghaut, Little India, and Farrer Park.

The discussion also referenced a recent Facebook post by Lim Tean, the leader of the Peoples Voice (PV), who first raised the concern about the train floors.

On 1 October, Lim shared an image taken while riding the East-West Line, highlighting the “speckled flooring” he claims is a common sight.

“Doesn’t this look like a train in a third-world country? Has SMRT gone Bohemian, thinking that the trains they operate should exhibit a ‘natural wear and tear’ look, in line with their philosophy of not over-maintaining?” he questioned.

Lim further critiqued the privatisation of public services, alleging that corporate shareholders reap generous returns year after year at the expense of everyday commuters.

Lim’s post has since attracted over 220 shares, sparking further conversation about the state of public transportation in Singapore.

Following the news of the passing of Lim Chin Joo (林清如) at age 87, a former political detainee and younger brother of Barisan Sosialis leader Lim Chin Siong, many Singaporeans from civil society, as well as those involved in political, literary, or historical studies, expressed their condolences on social media.

According to Lianhe Zaobao, Mr Lim, a former student activist and former president of the Ee Hoe Hean Club, sustained a severe head injury on 1 October 2024 after an accidental fall and was rushed to the hospital.

He passed away the following night, leaving behind his widow, four children, and several grandchildren.

Lawyer Tan Wah Piow, a political dissident and former student leader from the 1970s, recalled a chance encounter with Lim Chin Joo on 4 October 2016 at a pedestrian crossing in Bayswater, London.

Lim introduced himself, and although both were headed to different restaurants for dinner, they briefly parted ways. Later that evening, Tan managed to meet Lim again at the Mandarin Kitchen, where they took a photo together.

Tan expressed regret that they didn’t have more time to converse. Although they maintained occasional contact over the years, they could not meet again, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Lim’s health condition.

Mr Tan noted that while Lim Chin Joo was widely recognised as the brother of Lim Chin Siong, “In his own right, Chin Joo was a patriot whose political journey began as a middle school student activist.”

He highlighted Mr Lim’s contributions to the anti-colonial movement, later becoming a trade unionist.

Lim shared the fate of many Chinese-educated youths at the time, suffering imprisonment without trial—first under British rule in 1957, and later until 1966, even after Singapore attained self-rule and independence.

“Why did his own government imprison him without trial after the British left? That was the subject I would love to explore.”

Mr Tan also remarked that despite the interruptions to Lim’s life, he managed to qualify and practice as a lawyer in Singapore.

“That evening, the subject of Chin Joo’s brother Lim Chin Siong, weighed heavily on my mind. This was because within 100 yards of the restaurant where I was dining, Lim Chin Siong once lived and worked during his exile in the 1970s.”

“Arrested without trial in 1963, Lim Chin Siong was exiled to London in 1969 as a condition of his release. The six years of imprisonment from 1963 to his exile greatly affected this national hero’s health and well-being. ”

Mr Lim’s Significant Contributions to Singapore’s Civil Society and Historical Study

Dr Thum Ping Tjin, a Singaporean historian and activist, shared in a Facebook post on Sunday (6 October) that Mr Lim was highly supportive of his work, assisting with his research and showing great enthusiasm for the publication of Nationalism and Decolonisation in Singapore, 1953-63.

Despite being very unwell, Mr Lim was insistent on meeting up to discuss the book.

“He even bought a dozen copies of my book on the spot! He was also really looking forward to my upcoming biography of his brother, Lim Chin Siong.”

“I’m sad that he will not be able to read it. Rest in Power, Chin Joo.”

Illustrator Sonny Liew also recalled that Mr Lim, along with the Ee Hoe Hean Club, provided a small grant to support the development of a new graphic novel some years ago.

Mr Lim also assisted with a book launch at Grassroots Book Room (草根書室) in 2019.

Separately, historian Dr Loh Kah Seng shared his first meeting with Mr Lim in 2007 while working on his PhD. Dr Loh explained that he had reached out to Mr Lim because of his experience working at the Land Office after his release from detention.

“He picked me up and drove me to his house. He told me a few things about squatter laws and reiterated that he would not talk about his brother. ”

Dr Loh also noted that Mr Lim mentioned he was working on his memoir at the time. The memoir was published in 2014, and Mr Lim kindly sent him a copy. By then, he had become more open about sharing his story and Singapore’s history.

Former Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo Pays Tribute to Lim Chin Joo

Former Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo also shared a photo with the late Lim Chin Joo in remembrance of him.

In her tribute, Singaporean writer Loo Li San expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Lim Chin Joo, reflecting on his profound influence on her and others in Singapore.

She shared personal memories, highlighting his encouragement for her writing and how he served as both a mentor and a guiding figure in her life.

She recalled what Mr Lim told her: ‘Li San, would you like to write for Yihe Shiji  (怡和世纪, quarterly publication by Ee Hoe Hean Club)?’

‘You can write anything; I love to read whatever you write.’

Ms Loo emphasised that his legacy would continue to inspire her and others to strive for greatness.

From Student Activist to Legal Scholar

Born in 1937 in Pontian, Johor, Lim Chin Joo attended The Chinese High School in Singapore after World War II, and became actively involved in student and labour movements, notably as a key member of the Singapore Chinese Middle School Student Union in 1957.

At the age of 20, he was detained under the Preservation of Public Security Ordinance, now known as the Internal Security Act (ISA).

His detention lasted nine years, during which he pursued his education and earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of London.

Upon his release in 1966, he joined the Singapore government’s elite administrative service, later transitioning to private legal practice in 1973, where he continued to work until his retirement in 2002.

Lim authored several books, including My Youth in Black and White, reflecting on his life and his brother, Lim Chin Siong, and in his later years, he served as an honorary adviser to the Ee Hoe Hean Club, a gathering place for Chinese businessmen in Singapore.