A blogging MRT train driver, who have gone by the name of
Gintai, has been given a letter "advise" by his employers, SMRT, to
stop commenting on company matters.
When I told my No: 1 at TNM Crew station that I started a blog
some time ago, he asked me if I could make money out of it? What’s
the point of wasting my time writing blog posts? I retorted that at
least I would have left something behind if I were gone tomorrow
whereas he would have left nothing without any legacy. He smirked
and snickered at my remark.
Alas! HR got wind of it. In no uncertain terms, I was “advised”
to refrain from commenting on company matters. A letter of “advice”
will be issued to me. My hands are now tied. No more blogging on my
job or SMRT related matters.
I do not wish to break my rice bowl.
I hope the above will clarify my status quo. Henceforth, I shall
still continue with blogging but on other interests or subjects
leaving out my job aspect to avoid infringing company’s policy and
incur the wrath of those gods up there.
Gintai has been given insights into train operations. An example
of his recent post shared insights about being a SMRT train
driver.
Gintai's blog also saw increased readership to the blog with the
recent train breakdowns and a MP misquoted statement on
language proficiency or rather the lack of it because of
race.
SMRT's action in giving a letter of "advise" to Gintai would gather
more backlash from the online community. Most of these netizens
will soon start to clamour how SMRT's actions including limiting
freedom of speech and expression of the Internet space.
Instead, SMRT should have taken this opportunity to work with this
blogging community to reach out to the online community to spread
information about the transport company. For example, they should
have approach this driving blogger to find out drivers can be
encouraged to take the initiative to help passengers during
emergencies.
