Seng Han Thong speaking about SMRT disruptions

MP Seng Han Thong: SMRT’s unpreparedness also due to Malay and Indian staffs English language inefficiency

In a blogtv programme MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC Seng Han Thong admitted that part of the problem with the SMRT breakdowns last week is due to SMRT staffs not being trained in emergency preparedness.

Seng Han Thong said that because some staffs are “Malay(s), they are Indians, they cannot converse in English good, well enough”. See from 6.12 minutes:

Seng Han Thong (成汉通; born 22 April 1950) is a Singaporean politician.Seng Han Thong is a member of the People’s Action Party, and represents the Yio Chu Kang constituency in the Parliament of Singapore.

Seng Han Thong Early life

Seng Han Thong is Buddhist. He attended Tuan Mong High School, graduating in 1967. Afterwards, he held various jobs including as a sales representative for a watch company and a certified interpreter in the judicial system of Singapore. In 1974, Seng Han Thong began a career in journalism, starting as a reporter for the Nanyang Siang Pau, then moving to the Lianhe Zaobao in 1982. From 1983 to 1984, Seng Han Thong attended a management diploma course at the Singapore Institute of Management, while rising through the ranks at his new company. While studying for a Master of Business Administration between 1990 and 1993 at Brunel University in London, Seng Han Thong became deputy chief editor of the Lianhe Zaobao in 1992. He became the general manager of Singapore Press Holdings’ Chinese newspaper division in 1996.

Seng Han Thong Career

Seng Han Thong was first elected to parliament in 1996, representing the Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency; he was returned to his seat in 2001, and then in 2006 was elected to represent the Yio Chu Kang Single Member Constituency.

In May 2006, Seng Han Thong was attacked by a constituent of his, a 74-year old disgruntled former taxi driver who felt that Seng Han Thong was not taking any action to help him regain his lost taxi licence. The man later made a public apology to Seng Han Thong, and the charges were dropped. Media reports in 2010 recalled the event when the man carried a knife with a 12 centimetres (4.7 in) blade to the Subordinate Courts of Singapore building in an attempt at public suicide and was sentenced to two weeks in jail.Just a month later, the man died at the age of 78 due to a lung infection.

In January 2009, Seng Han Thong suffered another attack by one of his constituents; a 70-year old man set him on fire by pouring paint thinner on his back and then igniting him with a cigarette lighter. The man was believed to be mentally ill. Seng Han Thong suffered burns to roughly 15 percent of his body, and received treatment at Singapore General Hospital. He took time off to recover from his injuries, and resumed his duties in July 2009.

MP Seng Han Thong speaking about SMRT disruptions in blogTV 19-Dec-2011