Oops, we could not find a good engineer after global search to run SMRT

[Confuseous]

When Yong Pung How's daughter was made the first CEO of IDA, even she was aware she was ill qualified for the information technology appointment. Hence her infamous repartee, "I may not know what CDMA stands for, but I can always hire someone who does." Do we really need a repeat of that fiasco at SMRT? What we need is someone like interim CEO Tan Ek Kia (Bachelor of Science (Mechanical Engineering)), a seasoned professional with more than 30 years of experience in design, engineering and construction, project management, as well as being a Chartered Engineer with the UK Engineering Council and a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers, Malaysia.

"After an extensive search and selection process, we are pleased that we have someone of Desmond's background and calibre joining SMRT as the new CEO," was the announcement from the rail operator's Board of Directors. Problem here is that their anointed one is not even a practising engineer (Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, Master's degree in Public Administration). Which means the $10 million report of the Commission of Inquiry that came up with various engineering issues to be addressed is as good as being trashed, cast aside like pearls before swine.

You would think that with the fat salary that comes with the job, it would be a cinch to hire someone with the track record and qualifications in running a transportation engineering company. Surely we are not the only country in the world with a mass transit rail system. Perhaps the directors at SMRT would care to show us who else were considered for the challenging task ahead. For all we know, maybe the selection criteria were tailored the way the specification was drawn up for foldable bikes at NParks.

- http://singaporedesk.blogspot.sg/2012/08/engineering-takes-back-step.html

 

[Dreamer1]

Political jobs are out of bound for FTs,this is the unwritten golden rule of PAP.Othwise we would have FT PM,DPMs,etc and for the better of Singapore.

 

[Cestbon]

What that stupid Army know about MRT?
Dont have any background related to MRT/LRT/train...........................
Sure doom. What the fuck PAP gov anyhow throw someone into SMRT.

 

[Equalisation]

Seriously, Desmond should be a Sheriff Marshal instead!!

 

[streetsmart73]

hi there


1. no eye see!
2. such specimen is quaranteed lifelong employment.
3. just like putting a square wooden block into some round hole.
4. running dogs and crying sheep do not learn or listen!

 

[Boliao]

Political jobs are out of bound for FTs,this is the unwritten golden rule of PAP.Othwise we would have FT PM,DPMs,etc and for the better of Singapore.

We just need to issue them with a pink IC. In case you have not notice, a good number of our ministers, MP and appointment holders are not born in Singapore. Some because neutralized citizen less than 3 years ago. Plenty of foreigners will gladly take up Singaporean citizenship.

Take Indian for example, once you are born in India, you're a lifetime citizen even if you do not hold Indian citizenship or passport. A piece of paper certify that you can travel in and out of India, freely; and enjoy benefits like a Indian citizen.

 

[myo539]

We just need to issue them with a pink IC. In case you have not notice, a good number of our ministers, MP and appointment holders are not born in Singapore. Some because neutralized citizen less than 3 years ago. Plenty of foreigners will gladly take up Singaporean citizenship.

Take Indian for example, once you are born in India, you're a lifetime citizen even if you do not hold Indian citizenship or passport. A piece of paper certify that you can travel in and out of India, freely; and enjoy benefits like a Indian citizen.

How to "neutralise citzens"? Shall we zap them?
Let the Indians travel in and out of Singapore free with a "piece of paper".

 

[Cestbon]

For $1m~2m annual salary for SMRT CEO. There will be full of CV from all over the world with at least 10 year related experience in MRT/train/LRT...................

Where is transparency?
Maybe can employ HK MTR CEO.

 

[ChaoPappyPoodle]

Any decent person will not take on a job that they are not educated in or have experience at. What sort of character does this SMRT CEO have to want to take on this role?

Shameless and shameful are the hallmarks of the PAPzis and their minions!

 

[Boliao]

Any decent person will not take on a job that they are not educated in or have experience at.

"I disagree with that! Hmph!! I tell my faggot husband tonight"

 

[red amoeba]

such ezamples a plenty...nol sia smrt...jus wondering when will it happen to dbs

 

[AhGuan]

"I disagree with that! Hmph!! I tell my faggot husband tonight"

Tell your husband that management skills are not that 'transferable and portable' as he thinks. Put a former SAF paper general in the shipping industry, he is likely to fuck it up. In fact, putting a former SAF general anywhere, he is likely to fuck it up.

 

[Leepotism]

Nepotism and cronyism is rampant in Singapore. Nepotism + cronyism= Meritocracy. Singapore unique equation.

 

[Dreamer1]

We just need to issue them with a pink IC. In case you have not notice, a good number of our ministers, MP and appointment holders are not born in Singapore. Some because neutralized citizen less than 3 years ago. Plenty of foreigners will gladly take up Singaporean citizenship.

Take Indian for example, once you are born in India, you're a lifetime citizen even if you do not hold Indian citizenship or passport. A piece of paper certify that you can travel in and out of India, freely; and enjoy benefits like a Indian citizen.

Confirm PAP is racist,I know many Ang Mohs who are dying to be the PM,Ministers to earn that millions.

 

[Prometheus888]

Army clowns are good at following orders,,,hence his job .... to listen and then execute according to his "masters".....so simple but so hard for some of you stubborn fellows who have conscience and half a brain...

 

[AhGuan]

Army clowns are good at following orders,,,hence his job .... to listen and then execute according to his "masters".....so simple but so hard for some of you stubborn fellows who have conscience and half a brain...

When former 'army clowns' are put into 'for profit organizations', they are no longer listening and executing according to his 'masters'. He is supposed to maximise profits and enhance shareholders' wealth.

Obviously, all the management experience in the army does not prepare a former paper general for the private, profit-churning sector despite all the brains, 'Harvard masters in public administration education' and .......etc.

The paper general who helms the corporation now has to fend for his survival in the corporate jungle for which he has no relevant skills.

My contention is that skills and knowledge picked up in the arm forces has no relevance to the private sector. And thus, no 'portability and transferability'

Therefore, the PAP's propensity to put former generals into the sectors that need to produce a profit after they have served their useful lives in the SAF is a failed policy concept and will screw up the govt-linked corporations which make up a big part of our country's national output.

 

[AhGuan]

And therefore, our country should put people with 20 years of relevant engineering experience into the manufacturing sector, transport sector, logistic sector etc.

People with 20 years of fund management experience in Temasek and GIC and not former SAF generals.

People with 20 years experience in shipping into NOL and PSA and not former scholars pushing papers between themselves in the civil service or those mutts from the SAF.

 

[mscitw]

This lackey Bak Zan is a zombie, Ruler Loong ask him to 'pusing kanan', he pusing kanan. Ask him to pusing kiri, he pusing kiri. Ruler Loong's main aim is to get a robot to ask LTA/PTC for fare hikes...beg bailout funds from Tarman, so getting somebody young and thick skinned will be most apt.

 

[Leongsam]

Do we really need a repeat of that fiasco at SMRT?

A CEO does not need to possess technical qualifications related to the industry he is involved in.

When I was working in the manufacturing, the worst CEO I worked for had an engineering degree and the best CEO I worked for had an arts degree.

Running a company isn't about technical skills. It's about having a vision as to where you want to take the company and then hiring the right people and getting them to go along for the ride with gusto.

The best example I can think of is Apple. Steve Jobs had no formal qualifications whatsoever. He relied on Wozniak for ALL programming and circuit design work but the company achieved greatness because Steve Jobs could inspire others to work like dogs in order to turn vision into reality.

If Wozniak had become CEO, Apple would not have lasted more than 5 years.

 

[Cruxx]

Singaporeans have no talent.