SSISS: Police chief offers perspective on Little India Riot, $50 million "taxi stand"

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Martino Tan| March 26, 03:50 AM

Sound Smarter in Sixty Seconds (SSISS) is Mothership’s daily brief on the important headlines of the day. We will also contribute our views on the issues at hand.

 

Police chief acknowledges flaws during riots but commends men on the ground

At the latest Committee of Inquiry hearing, Police Commissioner Ng Joo Hee defended his men on the ground on the day of the Little India Riot. Ng said that the officers "displayed the right instincts, have been unreservedly resilient, have been brave and courageous and have all kept cool heads and clear minds."

He said that engaging the mob when officers were outnumbered was not the right move. He said that the regular front-line patrol officers who were on scene were “neither trained nor equipped to fight a riot”. He acknowledged that communications was 'non-existent' on that day and the activation of the riot police took too long.

Reactions online show that Singaporeans are celebrating the bravery of the front-line officers while lambasting the commanders who were supposed to take better control of the situation. It was good for the Police Commissioner to come out and give a clearer perspective on why the police reacted the way it did on the day of the Little India Riot at the COI.

However, he should have done this sooner. This delay led to many people taking the chance to be armchair generals online. When they offer their own versions of what should have been done that night, coupled with the general discontent the online sphere has of the establishment, it forms the impression that police commanders involved that night were nothing more than paper scholars.

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Changi Airport to spend $50 million on a two-storey "taxi stand"

Changi Airport will build a two-storey taxi deck to ease the long taxi queue at Terminal 1.

The holding area which can hold up to 300 taxis, will serve both T1 and Project Jewel in future.  Its capacity is thrice that of the current holding area in Terminal 1 and is expected to be completed by May next year.

The Changi Airport Group (CAG) said that the new taxi deck is expected to ease traffic along Airport Boulevard, where more than 100 taxis can be observed at times. While this approach will improve the traffic situation and provide a safer environment, $50 million seems a tad costly for a two-storey taxi stand. 

Straits Times mentioned that the lane gets crowded when the supply of cabs outstrips demand during busy periods (4.30-6.30pm, 11pm-1am). Should CAG explore other options in managing the cab supply instead of spending $50 million? Can the roads be widened so that we have a dedicated "taxi lane"? How about providing a license for taxis at the airport? 

Top photo from Work Fair Singapore

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