Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan on Monday, Oct. 16, made his first public address on the major North-South Line (NSL) tunnel flooding incident two weekends ago on Oct. 7.

He said at a press conference that the SMRT maintenance team in charge of the anti-flood system at Bishan station had “failed us”.

It was Singapore’s first disruption due to flooding.

More than a quarter of a million commuters were affected after six stations were shut down.

Three apologies

In total, three individuals publicly apologised to the public.

Khaw said: “We are all sorry it did... Whatever follow-up action which needs to be done, has already started. Nothing has been covered up.”

SMRT CEO Desmond Kuek also apologised to commuters at the press conference and addressed the public.

He said that "nine in 10 of our people are incredibly committed, professional and commuter-focused", even though many of SMRT's major disruptions in the past have been attributed in some part, or all, to human error or failure.

The chairman of SMRT Corporation and SMRT Trains, Seah Moon Ming, bowed and apologised to commuters as well.

He said: "SMRT has failed to prevent this incident from happening. SMRT takes full responsibility for this incident."

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Singaporeans respond

But it appears not all Singaporeans were naturally forgiving or having any of it.

Here are some of the most savage responses:

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