FACEBOOK is fast becoming the direct platform for Singapore
politicians to broadcast their messages directly. More so, after
the recent General Election.
And the efforts from the politicians themselves and the interest
from netizens shows no signs of abating.
As traditional media often comes with space constraints in
newspapers, or time constraints on television or radio, the social
nature of Facebook has allowed more awareness of issues at the
ground level to be shared with the public, especially if they may
not be big enough to overshadow other competing news.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Mountbatten - Lim Biow Chuan - did
his own spot checks on the ground after complaints about the
regularity of some bus services during the election campaign
period.
He posted this on May 16 on his Facebook page at 4.48pm then: 'I
received complaints about the regularity of some bus services
during the campaign period. This morning, I waited at the bus stop
from 8am to 9am with LTA (Land Transport Authority) officer to do
an audit and was horrified at the result. Will be writing to PTC
(Public Transport Council) and LTA to lodge a formal complaint
about the service standards of the bus services.'
On Thursday at 2.30pm, he posted this next update on his
investigations: 'Was at bus stop next to Block 56 Cassia Crescent
this morning for 2nd informal audit. Results are slightly better
although there is room for improvement. For service 70, a total of
8 buses came within a period of 50 mins. Service 197 need to
improve. Will feedback to PTC for their follow up with SBS. Then
monitor to see whether there are improvements.'
Earlier in the week, MP for Sembawang GRC (Admiralty) - Vikram
Nair - posted a YouTube video of himself drinking tap water during
a house visit to prove that the water in Blk 686B Woodlands Drive
73 is safe for consumption.
This was to reassure residents' concerns after the body of a
dead domestic worker was earlier found in the block's water tank on
May 16.
Reactions from Facebook users on MP Lim Biow Chuan's
page:
'Sir really appreciate your ground work. You didn't allow the
LTA officer or your grassroots smoke you.' - Ong
Delion
'Glad you came down to see things first hand! Great job, sir!' -
Brenda Chia
'Mr Lim, thank you for your personal investigation. Service 158
is a good example. I am seeing a very positive commitment to
improve the issues. If I can add, Facebook can be a good channel
not to get a watered-down feedback. Of course some posting are not
constructive, however like a Malay saying goes, if there's no wind
the leaves will not ruffle.' - Jumali Sayuti
'Dear Sir, fyi, there are many other services which you will 'be
horrified' with. Nothing beats seeing it for yrselves isn't it????
Really thumbs up for such efforts taken. Maybe you can consider
checking out just how crowded our trains are also, especially the
peak period.' - Jennifer Lee
'Good job. It's nice that you communicate what you are doing. Do
continue. Hope you won't get the brush off from PTC/LTA. Hope they
won't offer the traditional solution of tweaking the routes and
increasing services as the solution will only...be stop-gap
measures that do not address the root of the problem... and please
tell them you won't accept them to put up more ERP gantries in your
area just to 'solve' the problem.' - Serene
Chew
he did not go up the bus for the national squeezathon?
