Comments on: PUB to install water level sensors at affected areas in Bukit Timah after “freak” downpour

By: Eugene

Eugene — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 03:16:06 +0000

I refer to “No privileged pampered dogs around on Wed, 25th Nov 2009 3:12 pm” post on

“People living on the NE MRT line waited for more than 10 years to wait for their transport convenience.

What is wrong with people like you or your dogs or your precious car “swimming” once every 50 years in the canal?”

Don’t I wish I can afford a car or live in Bukit Timah and can afford to keep a dog? What makes you assume I am rich? In fact I don’t have a car or live there, but I am concerned about the flood.

Does only people who are affected by the flood has a right to have a say the issue? Singaporeans are not apathic – they do care about what happens to other Singaporeans. For example, the charity shows and sad stories that are reported in newspapers and TV usually get a lot of donations from Singaporeans who cared. When the flood happens, Singaporeans selfless help other drivers who are affected by the flood in Bukit Timah road. These shows that they do care.

I have no problems with waiting 5 years for the widening of the canal; I understand that it take times to do a good job. I do think that the minister at least try to solve the problem is good, and give him credit for trying.

But I resent the statement that people are saying that it does not matters and only impact a few, when many others are impacted. It is the act downplaying the impact of flood that I have concern with, and that saying this is a freak accident when bukit timah is frequently flooded. In fact if you travel pass bukit timah during moonsoon season, you will find the road are often flooded, but to a lesser degree.

If ordinary Singaporeans like myself does not speak out, will the minister take steps to widen the canal? Will another Thomson Road flood accident happen?

By: Sad

Sad — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:24:53 +0000

qwerty: Sadly, in sg, we are lead by so call world class leaders. We never to treat each other this way. But a good leader will lead by example. Why shld you or all of us subject to this treatment by officials.

By: qwerty

qwerty — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:13:34 +0000

That’s the way our govt officials treat us. But it doesn’t have to be the way we treat each other.

By: Sad

Sad — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:35:46 +0000

qwerty: You seem to be fixated on the fact that the people there should be ignored because all of them are rich. Not that the people shld be ignored. Don’t you think the people there are being ignored rich or poor. It’s take 40 years for someone like MM to acknowledge his mistake. Well, it will take another 40yrs anyone to realise the flood is a mistake.
People pay taxes and have rights. You really don’t have much rights or voices , but depends on who is in power.
“would you want someone to tell you “oh, it didn’t happen to me, so LLST, you die your business”? Precisely this is the real facts about living in sg isn’t it. Flood is one freak event, blunder in KKH, scars, NKF, minibonds, Lehman brothers.etc

By: qwerty

qwerty — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:37:42 +0000

I think we both agree that life is more important than property, but that is not to say that property and belongings are not important at all.

You seem to be fixated on the fact that the people there should be ignored because all of them are rich. You do realise that road is a public road, and many students travel to schools on public buses that ply that route, right?

The people living there also pay taxes, and have a right to proper public infrastructure, just like every else. Eugene and Steve also made valid points.

If you just happened to be there at that point in time, and the delay cost you your exam/flight/interview etc, all because of a flood that could have been prevented if a promised widening had actually occurred, would you want someone to tell you “oh, it didn’t happen to me, so LLST, you die your business”?

By: Sad

Sad — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:47:46 +0000

Asiaone Online forum: Life is more important than money. I have encountered flood in Bukit Timah during my school days and have to wade my way to school. It is dangerous and I do not want any kids to encounter that or any mishap to happen. Better to be safe than sorry.
If the installation of the sensor can alert the traffic police, surrounding schools and residential, I think it will be a good temporary measure until the canal can be widened. Don’t just criticize. If you have a better solution that can be implemented NOW, tell the PUB.
My 2c: Life is more important than money, in sg Really?. I beg to differ. At least at the age of 50+. I see money is more important for most in sg. Millionaire, ministers and civil servant. Let just be clear, flood happens in 2006, plan was to widen the canal but not done(as report). Of course, as citizen we have to criticize, if we claimed we are world class. Yes, there a better solutions, question is will the Minister or PUB listen. In a private company, if you fail you quit. Since it’s going to be another 50years so why bother with any temporary sensors. A better solutions is CHANGED,

By: politics is about the masses

politics is about the masses — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:15:01 +0000

@qwerty,

I sympathise with the families of the KKH botch-up. The 2 patients may die, and it is a mistake that should never have been made.

On the other hand, no one died in the Bukit Timah flood, only the cars, including a black Ferrari and others parked in an uppity condo’s basement.

To equate the two is disingenuous, but surprisingly your analogy really helps bring home my point.

The bottomline : Sad to say, most average Joes in Singapore care not for the KKH fiasco nor for the Bukit Timah floods because it doesn’t impact their lives.

By: cy

cy — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:09:12 +0000

in zaobao today, PUB announced a 20 million spending over 5 years to widen the canal but of course they didn’t admit their mistake.

To ppl with the mentality of it’s a small matter,only affect minority of people, i advise you to read the following

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out for me.

By: qwerty

qwerty — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:17:35 +0000

Divide the number of people affected by the drug overdose in KKH by the total population of Singapore and you will see how “important” this drug overdose issue is.

Let’s work out a theoretical but reasonable number. 2, plus their families. Say 4 per patient, so 10.

10 divide by 4 million, you get what, 0.00025 percent ! Is this something the average Singapore Joe in the street will give two hoots about since it is not happening in his own backyard ?

This is a problem of the cancer patients, so let the cancer patients solve their own problems.

By: No privileged pampered dogs around

No privileged pampered dogs around — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:12:31 +0000

Eugene on Wed, 25th Nov 2009 11:35 am
…look at the bigger picture of the people who are affected when the canal is not upgraded in time…??

People living on the NE MRT line waited for more than 10 years to wait for their transport convenience.

What is wrong with people like you or your dogs or your precious car “swimming” once every 50 years in the canal?

Neither you nor those “get off my face” overly pampered dogs living in Bukit Timah have any priority over the rest of Singapore.

Get used to it. We have bot bigger priorities.