SMRT internal probe finds suspected falsification of records, pumps at Bishan not maintained for almost a year
TODAY file photo.
SINGAPORE – For nearly a year, the SMRT team responsible for maintaining a pump system at the Bishan depot every three months claimed that the work had been carried out and submitted paperwork as required, but this was found to be untrue, the transport operator said on Tuesday (Oct 31).
The manager and staff members in charge of maintenance have been suspended, and are assisting in investigations, added the SMRT as it released the preliminary findings of its probe into a major disruption earlier this month.
On October 7, a heavy downpour had led to Bishan MRT station being flooded, and train services on the North-South Line being shut down for over 20 hours.
Although SMRT required maintenance works to be carried out quarterly, investigations showed that there were no track access approvals granted for the maintenance of the pumps last December, as well as in March and June this year – dates when the crew had claimed to carry out maintenance works in the records.
Pump records also revealed that the pumps had not been activated on those dates “which would have been required as part of the maintenance procedure had the work been actually done”, said SMRT.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said it was “deeply concerned” by SMRT’s findings, and reiterated that it views breaches of all rail operating licences seriously, including those pertaining to the maintenance of the rail operating assets.
It will “independently evaluate SMRT’s investigation findings on the suspected falsification of maintenance records” into the Oct 7 incident. It added: “LTA is carrying out a full investigation into the incident and will make its recommendation on the penalties to the LTA Board in due time.”
The findings shocked observers and transport analysts, who stressed the seriousness of such “totally unacceptable” lapses which could constitute a criminal offence. Apart from the falsification of records, Singapore University of Social Sciences urban transport expert Park Byung Joon noted that such negligence would be criminal in other countries such as South Korea.
In its media statement, SMRT said that integrity and responsibility by managers and supervisors were key.
“We are determined to correct these weak links swiftly and decisively and are implementing a series of measures to do so,” said the operator. Where warranted, appropriate changes to the management and maintenance team will be made, it added.
A joint readiness inspection team will also be set up together with the LTA to supplement report to SMRT’s audit system. This will report independently to a SMRT Board’s audit and risk committee and to the LTA and SMRT joint board technical committee.
Third-party experts will also be roped in to step up quality control surveillance of preventive maintenance activities and conduct a system-wide inspection of critical systems, while training will be intensified to create a higher work responsibility within front line peer groups.
SMRT Corporation chairman Seah Moon Ming said: “SMRT has zero tolerance for failures in supervision and diligence over maintenance tasks. We do not condone any acts of dishonesty and dereliction of responsibility, whether by management or staff. All who are accountable will be disciplined sternly, regardless of rank and position. Accordingly, the relevant Management chain of command in SMRT must be held accountable.”
The National Transport Workers' Union (NTWU) said that it will “ensure that any disciplinary action taken by SMRT against its workers would follow due process, and is fair and appropriate”.
NTWU executive secretary Melvin Yong, who is also a Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC, said: “As SMRT takes steps to investigate the incident and implement corrective measures with regard to rail maintenance, NTWU urges SMRT to put training for its workers as one of its top-most priorities.”
