Chief Operations Officer of SMRT Trains arrested for drink driving at Woodlands Checkpoint

SMRT’s chief operations officer for rail was arrested at Woodlands Checkpoint this morning for drink driving. One of the group’s top executives, 50-year-old Alvin Kek was just promoted to chief operations officer for rail from his former post as senior vice-president for rail operations two months ago, on 1 Feb 2018.

Kek, who has been working for SMRT since 2013, presently oversees rail operations along the North-South and East-West Lines, the Circle Line and the Bukit Panjang LRT network. Prior to his employment with SMRT, he was a colonel and a chief engineering officer with the Singapore Armed Forces, where he spent 14 years.

SMRT’s vice-president for corporate communications Margaret Teo told reporters: “This matter is currently under police investigation. It is not appropriate for the company to comment as it concerns a personal matter. We request that the privacy of our staff, especially under the circumstances of his recent bereavement, be respected.” It is believed that Kek’s father passed away recently.

The police would only say that the arrest of a 50-year-old took place at 5am at Woodlands Checkpoint but declined to release further details. Investigations are ongoing.