5 Nov 2019

RTS faces yet another extension – Anthony, explain yourself

The Singapore government has verified that the Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) project is being put on hold once again, contrary to Transport Minister Anthony Loke’s indignant fury just days ago over news portal The Star’s alleged misreporting, and strongly denying claims that the RTS project will be further delayed.

On 5 November 2019, the Singapore republic's Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan in his written reply to Mr Gan Thiam Poh (Member of Parliament of Ang Mo Kio GRC), revealed that Malaysia had requested on Oct 29 to extend the suspension of the RTS project for a third time, till April 30, 2020. He also added that Singapore agreed to the six-month suspension in the spirit of bilateral cooperation.

Hence, this flimsy veil of falsehood created by Anthony Loke has naturally evaporated, along with any scraps of credence that he still had. As a cabinet minister, resorting to tell such blatant lies only shows that the Pakatan Harapan government leaves much to be desired, especially in the aspect of credibility.

Besides, now that it has been proven that The Star’s report was not fake news, and the request even being initiated by Malaysia, was Anthony Loke trying to feign ignorance, or was he bent on sabotaging the news portal’s credibility?

While the DAP supremo sells himself as a champion against fake news, don’t the musings of ‘deep states’ by Lim Guan Eng, and such falsehood by Anthony Loke qualify as fake news? What a coincidence indeed that all 3 are from the same political party!

While all this politicking goes on, the people in Johor continue to struggle in their daily commute across the congested Causeway. Thus, if the Pakatan Harapan government treats this project as a mere instrument for garnering votes, it is simply despicable. For his own sake, Anthony Loke should humbly apologise to the media and the people for being an incompetent minister.

Dr Tee Ching Seng

MCA International Communication & Diplomacy Bureau Chairperson

-MCA Online-