- B E R I T A _ H A R I _ I N I _ 2 0 0 8 -

fatz

Singapura : 21 Januari 2008         
         
BEKAS STAF CNB JUAL PIL DI PASARAN GELAP

Jel dan denda kerana miliki, jual Romilar

Oleh
Khalid Khamis

HARAPKAN pagar, pagar makan padi.

Bekas pegawai Biro Narkotik Pusat (CNB) yang mempunyai lebih 15 tahun pengalaman, Zainal Abidin Koming, 47 tahun, menggunakan kemahiran yang ditimba untuk mencari rezeki dengan menjual pil Romilar di pasaran gelap.

Walaupun pernah diberkas dan didenda $4,500 dalam 2006 kerana mengimport pil itu secara haram, dia tetap tidak serik.

Jumaat lalu, dia dipenjara empat minggu dan didenda $3,000 kerana memiliki dan menjual pil Romilar tanpa lesen.

Romilar sejenis ubat batuk yang boleh menyebabkan ketagihan.

Dia kali ini mengaku salah memiliki 5,705 pil kuning itu di dalam teksi yang dipandunya dan menjual 240 pil itu kepada Rizuan Raimi.

Rahsianya terbongkar apabila pegawai CNB membuat intipan ketika Zainal menerima bekalan daripada seorang warga Indonesia, Immanuel Herri Lay Dida, 23 tahun.

Hakim Daerah, Cik Kamala Ponnampalam, diberitahu teksi Zainal diekori hingga ke Pandan Road sekitar 12.15 pagi pada 16 Ogos lalu.

Di situ, Immanuel memasuki teksi Zainal Abidin selama lima minit sebelum beredar.

Dengan bekalan itu, Zainal menemui Rizuan di Blok 512, West Coast Road, sebelum teksinya dipintas pegawai CNB.

Empat paket besar mengandungi 5,705 pil Romilar disorok di bawah lantai teksi dan 240 pil pula dalam pegangan Rizuan yang dijual $50.

Sekongkolnya, Immanuel, mengaku salah mengimport pil itu ke sini 30 Ogos lalu dan dipenjara sembilan minggu.

Seorang lagi penagih dadah, Mohamed Kassim, 45 tahun, dipenjara dua minggu selepas mengaku salah di Mahkamah Rendah Jumaat lalu.

Dia ditahan di pintu masuk Harbour Front Centre sekitar 11 malam 31 Julai lalu dengan membawa 1,989 pil Romilar yang dibungkus akhbar.

fatz

Muslims to be included under HOTA from August 1
By Hasnita A Majid, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 21 January 2008 2249 hrs

SINGAPORE: Parliament passed an amendment to include Muslims in the Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA) on Monday. Starting from August, Muslims will automatically be organ pledgers unless they opt out.

Most Malay-Muslim kidney patients are currently very low on the priority list for organ transplant as they are not organ pledgers. Currently, there are 16,000 Muslims organ pledgers.

Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said, "With the inclusion of Muslims under HOTA, Muslims who do not opt out of HOTA will be accorded the same priority as other Singaporeans who have not opted out of HOTA. Muslims who have already pledged their organs under the MTERA - Medical Therapy, Research and Education Act - will also be placed in this group and receive the same priority. This will level the playing field for all Singaporeans who are in need of an organ transplant."

Under the amendment, the Ministry of Health (MOH) will also have new powers to investigate any offence, such as blood and organ trading. Currently only the police can carry out such investigations.

MP for Jurong GRC Halimah Yacob said, "Organ trading is a scourge and should never be allowed to creep into our system. Seen in this light, the new measures introduced under this law will help to prevent abuses and exploitation of the vulnerable and needy in our society and instil integrity into our system."

Dr Fatimah Lateef, MP for Marine Parade GRC, suggested lowering the age for organ pledgers under HOTA from 21 to 18.

All the MPs agreed that there is a need for continuous public education and proper training of healthcare workers to deal with the sensitive issue.

Some 300,000 information kits on HOTA will be given out to all Muslim citizens and permanent residents aged 21 to 60 over the next few months. The kits will contain information on HOTA, a letter about the inclusion of Muslims, and an opt-out form.

And Mr Khaw assured education efforts will be intensified.

"Concepts like brain death, presumed consent and the religious implications require regular explanation and sustained educational effort. It is time-consuming and it is costly, but it is necessary. The more effective we are in this, in easing the fears and concerns of donors and their families, the more lives we can save," he said.

The health ministry said with the inclusion of Malay-Muslims in HOTA, up to 30 more people can potentially be saved every year. - CNA/ac

******************************************

jadi.....sesiapa yg tak setuju nak jadi spare parts bila mati, cepat2 la isi borang pengecualian

fatz

White embarkation card temporarily not needed for travel into M'sia
By Lynda Hong, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 21 January 2008 2219 hrs

Woodlands Checkpoint

SINGAPORE: The next time you head to Malaysia, you may no longer need to submit the white embarkation card.

Travellers who used the Causeway and the Second Link in Tuas found out about this during the weekend.

Channel NewsAsia understands that Malaysian immigration authorities had implemented this since last Saturday, on a trial basis.

And during this trial period, travellers only needed to present a valid passport to Malaysian immigration officials, at the checkpoints.

The Malaysian High Commission in Singapore did not confirm how long the trial will last.

It's believed that authorities would decide to implement the new system permanently, only at a later date. -CNA/vm

fatz

Don charged with theft of bra, panties at NTU
By Elena Chong, Court Correspondent

AN associate professor with a fetish for women's underwear has been charged with theft and fradulent possession of bra, panties and apparel.

Lee Wing Foon, 39, who taught at a university at China, was first charged in court last December with stealing two bras and a pair of panties :re:at Nanyang Technological University on Dec 20. He was then remanded for psychiatric observation.

On Monday, he was further accused of two charges of stealing three more bras and three underwear hmy3:at the Hall of Residence 10 at Block 50 NTU on Dec 20.

He also faces two charges of having 30 panties, 32 bras and 58 pieces of apparel suspected to have been stolen at NTU, and 272 pieces of bra, 87 panties and 65 pieces of clothing at a flat in Compassvale Lane, Sengkang, the next day.

A pre-trial conference will be held on Feb 18.

If convicted, Lee, who has a doctorate in engineering from NTU, could have been jailed for up to three years or fined or both for theft. The maximum penalty for fraudulent possession is a fine of $3,000 or a jail term of up to one year.

[ Last edited by  fatz at 22-1-2008 03:45 AM ]

fatz

Almost 200 cartons of contraband cigarettes seized by ICA
By Lee Khai Yan, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 22 January 2008 2027 hrs

SINGAPORE: Almost 200 cartons of contraband cigarettes were confiscated by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority last Friday, in two separate raids.

In the first operation two female and two male suspects were arrested. Three were Chinese nationals and one a Bangladeshi national.

Some 150 cartons of contraband cigarettes were recovered.

In the second case, 40 cartons were retrieved during a routine check at the Woodlands checkpoint.

A secret compartment was detected under the rear passenger seat.

The public is advised against buying contraband cigarettes. -CNA/vm

fatz

Traffic Police to impose new measures against drink drivers
By Wong Mun Wai, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 22 January 2008 2219 hrs

SINGAPORE : The Traffic Police (TP) have a new strategy to tackle drink driving.

They have come up with a tougher approach because the trend is worrying.

Figures from 2007 show that the number of drink driving cases has gone up to the highest in 10 years.

The TP conducted 785 road blocks in 2007, compared to 794 road blocks in 2006.

However, it was not enough to curb a worrying trend.

Last year, there were 4,009 cases of drink driving.

That is 7 percent higher than 2006.

The TP said this was largely because more people were arrested for drink driving in non-accident cases.

In 2007, 3,447 of them were caught - an increase of 9 percent from the previous year.

The TP are using the "ring-fencing strategy" with the hope of bringing the numbers down, especially with the upcoming Lunar New Year period.

Officers will encircle an area with drinking outlets and blocks of roads, which lead out from the outlets.

Ng Guat Ting, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Commander, Traffic Police Department, said, "In a typical road block, we are talking about targeting all types of errand drivers, speeding, reckless driving including drink drivers. But in this particular ring fencing enforcement that we are talking about, we are solely talking about making sure no that drink driver misses the road block."

So in each operation, there will be a minimum of eight road blocks, with at least 80 officers.

However, the locations of the new road blocks have not been revealed.

To decide where to carry out their operations, the TP will use accident statistics and intelligence.

Among the numbers they are considering include how more than 1 in 3 of all fatal accidents here were speed-related.

Another set of figures is summonses issued for running red-lights.

In 2007, 24,267 of these were issued, 85 percent more than the year before.

The TP have engaged a consultant to assess current locations and new locations for cameras to catch drivers running red lights.

Currently the TP have 240 such cameras. The result should be out next month. - CNA/ms

fatz

Farmers affected by red-dye incident get S$370,000 in compensation
Posted: 22 January 2008 1922 hrs

SINGAPORE: Six farm owners in the Lorong Semangka area have received a total of S$370,000 as compensation from the Ministry of Defence.

Out of this, S$332,000 was used to compensate those farmers whose vegetables were destroyed.

In November 2007, vegetables in the area, south-east of Tengah Airbase, were stained red. The colouring came from a red dye, used in the smoke effects of the Singapore Air Force's Black Knights aerobatics display

The compensation was worked out in consultation with the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA).

Defence Minister, Teo Chee Hean, was replying to queries in Parliament from Sembawang GRC MP Ellen Lee Geck Hoon, who asked about the total compensation amount. - CNA/vm

fatz

Medisave balance of $33,000 adequate for hospitalisation needs: Khaw


Mr Khaw said the MOH survey on poor health refers to ill-health of varying severity, and being in ill-health does not necessarily mean a person requires hospitalisation. -- PHOTO: ST FILE

SINGAPOREANS have an average $13,600 in their Medisave accounts, which can cover up to 13 Class C or 10 Class B2 hospitalisations.

Coupled with their MediShield, the current Medisave balance of $33,000 is sufficient to take care of most Singaporeans' basic hospitalisation needs, said Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan.

But he acknowledged that as hospital services are upgraded to meet rising expectations of patients, and new medical technology is brought in, costs will continue to rise. And with this, the demand on Medisave will grow.

He said that is why the Government has periodically adjusted the Medisave minimum sum, currently set at $28,500, and the Medisave contribution ceiling, at $33,500.

Mr Khaw said this in his written reply on Monday to a question from NMP Eunice Elizabeth Olsen, who had asked if the Medisave balance of $33,000 was enough to pay for eight years of treatment, given a recent Ministry of Health survey which found that Singaporeans suffer eight years of poor health.

Responding, Mr Khaw said the MOH survey on poor health refers to ill-health of varying severity, and being in ill-health does not necessarily mean a person requires hospitalisation.

'Many of us continue to lead a normal life with our health being less than perfect,' said Mr Khaw.

He explained that Medisave is designed to help Singaporeans cope with their hospitalisation expenses at the Class B2 and C level.

'On average, Singaporeans have $13,600 in their Medisave accounts. This amount is sufficient for 13 Class C or 10 Class B2 hospitalisations. Coupled with MediShield, it should take care of most Singaporeans' basic hospitalisation needs,' said Mr Khaw.

He also stressed the need to preserve Medisave savings for our age, and whenever possible, Singaporeans should work to increase these savings.

fatz

Singapura : 23 Januari 2008         
         
KES DERA KANAK-KANAK: LELAKI DITUDUH MEMBUNUH

Oleh
Khalid Khamis

SEORANG lelaki berusia 26 tahun semalam dituduh membunuh seorang kanak- kanak lelaki berusia tiga tahun yang sebelum ini cedera serius akibat dipercayai dideranya.

Ini menyusuli kematian Allahyarham Muhammad Izzul Salihin Muhammad Farzid pada Jumaat lalu, selepas ibu bapanya yang tidak sanggup melihatnya terus sengsara akibat pendarahan di otak mencabut alat bantuan pernafasannya.

Lelaki itu, Firdaus Abdullah, dipercayai menumbuk bahagian belakang kepala Allahyarham di flat sewa ibu Allahyarham di Jalan Minyak, dekat Chin Swee Road, pada 12 Januari lalu.

Firdaus yang direman sejak diberkas 14 Januari lalu kerana dituduh mencederakan Muhammad Izzul kelihatan bersahaja dalam kandang tertuduh apabila kesnya didengar di Mahkamah Rendah semalam.

Pemuda yang tinggi dan berbadan sederhana itu berpakaian kemeja-T polo hitam.

Sekitar enam anggota keluarganya termasuk ibunya dipercayai hadir.

Firdaus, duda anak satu, diberkas selepas mangsa dimasukkan ke Hospital Wanita dan Kanak-Kanak KK (KKH), dua hari selepas penderaan itu.

Tertuduh juga merupakan bekas jiran ibu bapa mangsa, Encik Muhammad Farzid Samri, 29 tahun, dan Cik Nadiyana Yacoub, 25 tahun.

Pada hari mangsa dimasukkan ke hospital, Encik Muhammad Farzid dan Cik Nadiyana berada di Mahkamah Syariah berhubung kes perceraian mereka.

Ketika dihubungi, Encik Muhammad Farzid, noja masjid, berkata jenazah Allahyarham telah selamat disemadikan Ahad lalu.

Kes Firdaus akan didengar lagi Selasa depan dan dia kini direman di Divisyen Polis Central.

fatz

Singapura : 23 Januari 2008         
         
SUMBANG MAHRAM PAK CIK AKIBATKAN ANAK SAUDARA HAMIL

Oleh
Khalid Khamis

SEORANG lelaki berpangkat pak cik dan bergelar datuk begitu intim dan melakukan seks dengan anak saudaranya sejak budak perempuan itu berusia 12 tahun.

Perbuatan sumbang mahram mereka itu berterusan sehinggalah budak perempuan itu melahirkan cahaya mata dalam 2006.

Namun, perbuatan lelaki berusia 65 tahun itu akhirnya terdedah jua.

Semalam, dia mengaku salah mengadakan hubungan seks dengan budak perempuan berusia 12 tahun itu dalam 1992.

Atas perbuatanya itu, dia dihukum penjara 12 bulan tetapi terlepas daripada hukuman rotan kerana usianya yang sudah lanjut.

Budak perempuan yang kini berusia 25 tahun dan memanggil lelaki tersebut 'Pak Long' atau 'Tapah' itu kini menjaga bayi perempuan yang dilahirkan pada Mac 2006.

Nama mangsa dan lelaki itu tidak boleh disiarkan bagi melindungi identiti mangsa dan anak yang dilahirkan.

Di mahkamah semalam, lelaki itu tiba di mahkamah sendirian dan kelihatan tenang tanpa ditemani seorang pun anggota keluarganya.

Hakim Daerah, Encik Bala Reddy, diberitahu bahawa hubungan intim antara Pak Long dengan anak saudaranya itu bermula ketika budak perempuan itu dipelihara neneknya di Ho Ching Road.

Budak perempuan itu dijaga neneknya apabila kedua-dua ibu bapanya bercerai.

Dalam 1992, ketika Pak Long melawat nenek budak perempuan itu, dia tidak dapat menahan nafsunya apabila melihat anak saudaranya berpakaian terbuka. Pak Long terus mengajaknya masuk ke bilik dan mengadakan seks tanpa bantahan.

Budak itu tidak mengadu kepada sesiapa kerana teruja dan menyukai perbuatan pak ciknya itu.

Dalam 1997, apabila neneknya meninggal dunia, mangsa dijaga Pak Long dan isterinya dan hubungan intim antara mereka diteruskan.

Rahsia mereka terbongkar apabila budak perempuan itu yang sudah berusia 23 tahun menyedari dia sudah hamil enam minggu pada November 2005.

Sekitar sebulan kemudian, seorang doktor mengesahkan dia sebenarnya sudah 30 minggu hamil.

Ketakutan, dia membohongi ibunya bahawa pak ciknya telah merogolnya.

Namun, dia akhirnya mengaku dia tidak dirogol apabila kes itu disiasat.

sutera_abadi

thread ni dah kena ubah sepatutnya Berita HAri Ini - 2008   

virgomal

yes sut... tapi tu lah.. mcm sikit nah...
kasi byk sket, kang aku splitkan...

fatz

Jan 23, 2008         
Gang robber charged in court - 14 years later

A MAN was charged in court on Wednesday with gang robbery at an Upper Serangoon Road billiards saloon almost 14 years ago.

Tan Kok Peng, 34, a former cabby, is said to have robbed Mr Tan Yeow Heng of $2,762 and eight packets of cigarettes worth about $37 at Marsiling Sports Club with six others on April 27, 1994.

He is also accused of failing to report his change of address within 28 days when he moved to Bukit Batok in September 2004. Bail of $15,000 was allowed.

Tan, who was recently arrested, will be back in court on Jan 30.

fatz

The 'Great Pretender' who snoozes on girl's shoulder caught on video


揌e抯 a great pretender,

miezarra_27

Kenapa pompuan tu bodoh sangat? :@
Tolak jer kasi jatuh.. atau pun.. jerit kuat2.. Molester..!!!
biar padan muka dia..!!!
Pastu ramai2 kerjakan dia..(the guy la...)

fatz

YOUR GIRL, 9, NOT A VIRGIN
Doc's words SO INSULTING
By Zubaidah Nazeer
January 23, 2008

HER 9-year-old daughter said she had a sore throat, and complained of itchiness 'down there'.

So she took her to a doctor, who allegedly told her that the girl was 'no longer a virgin'.

The mother even got scolded for not knowing what has been happening.

Stunned, the mother of two took her little girl to KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) the next day for a second opinion.

This time, the doctor told her the child simply had pinworms.

The mum was naturally relieved, but still upset, not just over the clinic doctor's apparently wrong diagnosis, but by her rude comments.

The clinic's spokesman confirmed that they were aware of the doctor's rude comments, but were still investigating the case notes to check on the diagnosis.

She said the doctor, who is in her late 60s, had apologised to the parent.

The clinic also asked her to go. Her last day there was yesterday.

Madam Sarah (her name has been changed to protect the identity of her child) said she had gone to the Woodlands clinic around 8.30pm on 9 Jan.

It was her first visit there, since she moved to the area three months ago.

The 39-year-old writer said she saw the doctor - the only one on duty - after a 20-minute wait.

When she described the girl's symptoms, the doctor asked what was wrong.

Madam Sarah, who also took her 7-year-old son with her, said she had no clue.

She said: 'The doctor looked at me and pointed to my daughter and said, 'Who is this girl? Is this your daughter? And you, the mother? You're the mother and you don't know what's wrong with your daughter?' '

Madam Sarah said she was dumbfounded.

'She said, 'Girls this young should not have problems like this. Their privates should not feel this way unless she did some hanky-panky'.'

NO CURTAIN

And this was before she even examined her daughter, claimed Madam Sarah.

The girl was then told to climb on to the bed. There was no curtain for privacy.

She said the doctor then pointed to her son and told him to get out. Her son was trying to hide behind a pillar.

Said Madam Sarah: 'She yelled at my son asking me what he was doing there.

'She told him to get out and then said, 'You mean, this is how you live at home? You let the girl open here and there, and then let the men see? We can be liberal but not this liberal'.'

Madam Sarah then reminded her daughter, in English, to lie down on the bed.

And she claimed the doctor told her daughter: 'You don't understand English ah?'

Said Madam Sarah: 'I was taken aback because she was speaking in such a condescending tone and I felt like walking out, but I thought it was too late to see another doctor.

'Plus, I really wanted to get medication for my daughter. I just figured after this I won't return.'

After taking a look at her daughter, the doctor told Madam Sarah to go over.

She claimed the doctor said: 'Come, look here... There has been interference.'

When the worried mum asked for an explanation, she claimed the doctor told her: 'Your daughter is no longer a virgin. You're her mother and you don't know what's been happening?'

She wrote some notes and then they left.

The daughter was prescribed an anti-bacterial wash and an anti-fungal cream.

Madam Sarah said the doctor never mentioned further tests or asked for her case to be referred to the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports or the police.

Said Madam Sarah: 'I couldn't accept the way the message was conveyed so I knew I wanted a second opinion.

'I also wanted to speak to my daughter to clear any doubts about her activities.'

She asked her daughter if she had allowed anyone to touch her there and her daughter innocently said no.

The next day, the dissatisfied mum and her husband took urgent leave and got their daughter out of school for a day to take her to KKH.

They breathed a sigh of relief when the doctor said she had pinworms.

COMMON PARASITES

These are parasites commonly found in children. They are thread-like worms that move through the anus or the vagina, usually at night.

Children can get pinworms by touching something that has pinworm eggs on it. They are so small and light that you can swallow the eggs without knowing it.

Said Madam Sarah: 'The doctor said it was not unusual for children and there was nothing to worry. My daughter could have been exposed to it at a playground.'

Her daughter was prescribed two anti-worm tablets. It seemed to work the same day as Madam Sarah claimed the girl had no complaints about itchiness that night.

When contacted, a woman who identified herself as Cheryl and claims to be in charge of the clinic's human resources, confirmed the incident.

She told The New Paper: 'We did not realise this had happened until we were approached about it. We are still investigating the case notes to see what she has diagnosed.

'But we are aware that she made bad remarks and we told her that this was unacceptable.'

She added: 'We are even more livid than the parent...

'I'm a mother myself and I can tell you that I'm upset.'

She admitted there had been 'sporadic' complaints against the doctor.

She added: 'They were about her rude comments, but they were never this bad.

'To be fair, we have had patients who asked for her because she can be a motherly person.

'But our patients' welfare comes first. It is unfortunate that the incident happened when she was doing her ad-hoc locum slots at our clinic.'

This mean she was working there only when required. The clinic is short-handed and has been trying to get a full-time doctor.

The doctor had been rostered to work up to three times weekly in the last two months, since one of their full-time doctors left.

Said Cheryl: 'We have decided to terminate her services with immediate effect and we are looking for replacements.'

The New Paper asked her to put us in touch with the doctor, but she said the clinic was unable to reach her.

However, Berita Minggu reported that the doctor has apologised to the mother.

She was quoted as saying: 'I've been a doctor for about 40 years and I have seen many cases of sexually transmitted diseases. So I just wanted to rule out these factors from your child's case.

'I apologise if it has upset you, but I'm shocked that you took my words that way as I did not mean to make you worried.

'We are trying to do our best here but we may not be as experienced as the doctors at KKH...

'I have also never heard of pinworm infections.'

The Singapore Medical Council said it will investigate complaints against doctors when these are sent in together with a signed statement.

Said its spokesman: 'Wrong diagnoses or treatment are considered on a case by case basis.

'If found to be true, the doctor can be given a letter of advice or warning for minor cases or be referred for a formal inquiry by a disciplinary committee if it is a case of gross negligence or professional misconduct.'

fatz

Originally posted by miezarra_27 at 23-1-2008 12:39 PM
Kenapa pompuan tu bodoh sangat? :@
Tolak jer kasi jatuh.. atau pun.. jerit kuat2.. Molester..!!!
biar padan muka dia..!!!
Pastu ramai2 kerjakan dia..(the guy la...)

satu soalan yg bagus tu

selalunya mcm tu la mie...
the receiving end selalu takut utk bertindak balas, walaupun ada ramai org.....shock...atau malu maybe...

Ratu_Lybeau

wahhh....macam macam sekarang kat Spore....


good thread..... belum habis baca......

thanks all

fatz

Singapore orchids turn to gold internationally
Posted: 23 January 2008 1407 hrs


Orchids in Harmony

Miami,Florida: Orchids and Singapore have become even more firmly entwined on the world stage.

At the prestigious 19th World Orchid Conference in Miami, orchids from Singapore picked up 26 awards for individual plants as well as two top display awards.

The event which is the most significant and largest regular event in the international orchid calendar saw the garden display created by Singapore抯 National Parks Board in partnership with the Orchid Society of Southeast Asia, taking the Gold Medal for International Display and Best of Show award, along with two other top awards.

The design titled "Orchids in Harmony" is a 50 sqm display of a modern Asian courtyard garden which also reflects the cultural diversity of Singapore through the use of different colours and types of tropical orchids.

Describing Singapore's success in Miami as "an outstanding win" the CEO of NParks said the award is also an affirmation of the calibre of local talent. "The win also could not be timelier, especially since Singapore is hosting the next World Orchid Conference in 2011

fatz

MRT disruption caused by damage to rail grinding vehicle
By Gamar Abdul Aziz, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 24 January 2008 0143 hrs

SINGAPORE : A seven-hour disruption to MRT services on Monday was caused by a locomotive which damaged its rail grinding vehicle (RGV).

SMRT said about 57,000 passengers were affected when train services between Pasir Ris and Tanah Merah stations were disrupted from 5.28 am to 12.45 pm on that day.

SMRT is still investigating why the RGV was damaged.

It explains that the RGV is used to grind tracks to level uneven edges for a smoother train run.

And this is performed daily during off-service hours.

On Monday, recovery was slow because of the nature of the damage as well as site constraints.

This was compounded by the fact that SMRT staff were moving cautiously to avoid damage to tracks so that service can be resumed after the maintenance vehicles were removed.

Once the extent of the situation was determined, over 300 SMRT staff were activated, as early as 4.40am.

They include senior management, engineers, station staff, service leaders and corporate services staff who worked to arrange for alternative transport services.

On the ground, more than 100 staff were deployed to the affected stations to help commuters.

A total of 70 buses were deployed to ferry affected passengers to Tanah Merah station.

SMRT says this was the "maximum number of buses deployable without severely impairing the bus services islandwide".

There were also westbound shuttle train services to ferry commuters from Tampines and Simei stations to Tanah Merah station.

This train was travelling on the unaffected stretch of the track.

And because "cautious driving" was imposed, the train was driven in manual mode of 15kph, instead of the normal average speed of 45kph.

SMRT adds that it recognises there is room for improvement and will take all feedback into consideration to refine its plans. - CNA/de