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SMRT should respect contract requirements to protect all parties

I disagree with Mr Devadas Krishnadas’ commentary, “When a public display of regulation is not needed” (Aug 28), that the train operators do not need the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) express permission to charter out transportation assets.

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Eugene De Rozario

I disagree with Mr Devadas Krishnadas’ commentary, “When a public display of regulation is not needed” (Aug 28), that the train operators do not need the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) express permission to charter out transportation assets.

In its role as regulator, the LTA is doing its job by questioning what transpired, regardless of whether SMRT Corporation’s actions did or did not affect commuters.

We are not in a higher-context culture such as that of Japan, where many things are left unsaid and left to culture. In Singapore, contracts are signed and executed based on an understanding that is as exhaustive as possible — and rightfully so.

If we were in a high-context culture, we would just let the culture, rather than regulators, manage the expectations between parties. If the LTA had not raised an issue, it would have failed in its duty.

Notwithstanding that there may have been no impact on other commuters, SMRT should have respected the contractual requirements, which were established in the first place to protect all parties, including SMRT itself.

What would happen in an adverse scenario, say, if a chartered train derails? There would be consequences, including for other commuters along the line, as well as insurance liabilities, no matter what due diligence SMRT had done before the charter.

Kudos to the LTA. I look forward to it flagging any future areas of concern.

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