[h=2]Khaw Boon Wan flip-flops: I am ‘convinced’ the foldable bikes are ‘warranted’[/h]Posted by temasektimes on August 5, 2012
After receiving widespread criticisms from Singaporeans for spending too much on the Brompton bikes, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan now flip-flops and say he is ‘convinced’ that they are warranted.
Mr Khaw has received much flak lately for handling the controversy which he initially dismissed before suspending the NPark officer who bought the bikes and refer the matter to CPIB for further investigations.
The bikes caused $2,200 each and the tender was called during the Chinese New Year period.
Speaking on the sidelines of a community event, Mr Khaw revealed he recently went along with the officers while they did their inspection rounds and is convinced that for the type of work the officers do, foldable bikes are warranted.
Minister Khaw Boon Wan touched on the issue of the Brompton bikes bought by NParks.
He added that it’s the right call to buy foldable bicycles but how it’s acquired is a different story.
“You go up and down natural terrain, it was very hard on my bottoms, after just a couple of hours riding with them; and then because the park connector goes through areas which are quite remote, and sometimes you’ve got to cross the road using overhead bridge, and they have to carry the bikes with them. That’s why just now I was trying to lift these cheaper bikes which are not foldable, it’s not easy,” he explained.
After receiving widespread criticisms from Singaporeans for spending too much on the Brompton bikes, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan now flip-flops and say he is ‘convinced’ that they are warranted.
Mr Khaw has received much flak lately for handling the controversy which he initially dismissed before suspending the NPark officer who bought the bikes and refer the matter to CPIB for further investigations.
The bikes caused $2,200 each and the tender was called during the Chinese New Year period.
Speaking on the sidelines of a community event, Mr Khaw revealed he recently went along with the officers while they did their inspection rounds and is convinced that for the type of work the officers do, foldable bikes are warranted.
Minister Khaw Boon Wan touched on the issue of the Brompton bikes bought by NParks.
He added that it’s the right call to buy foldable bicycles but how it’s acquired is a different story.
“You go up and down natural terrain, it was very hard on my bottoms, after just a couple of hours riding with them; and then because the park connector goes through areas which are quite remote, and sometimes you’ve got to cross the road using overhead bridge, and they have to carry the bikes with them. That’s why just now I was trying to lift these cheaper bikes which are not foldable, it’s not easy,” he explained.
