Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan has asserted that he was proud that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) clinched an award at the biennial UITP (Union Internationale des Transports Publics) Awards Ceremony in the Swedish capital of Stockholm, on Wednesday (12 June).
The UITP, also known as the International Association of Public Transport, is a worldwide network that brings together all public transport stakeholders and sustainable transport modes across the globe.
Once every two years, the organisation recognises the smartest innovations, practices and projects in the sector through its biennial awards ceremonies.
Sembawang GRC MP, Mr Khaw, revealed on Facebook yesterday (13 June) that the LTA – a statutory board under the Ministry of Transport – that the LTA’s MAVIS (Mobility Assistance for the Visually Impaired and Special Users) project won an award under UITP’s Diversity and Inclusion category.
MAVIS, which was designed to better assist bus commuters with special needs, has not been rolled out to all bus fleets in Singapore yet. It is presently conducting trial runs on the 141 bus service which plies the route close to the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped.
Calling the UITP award a “proud moment,” Mr Khaw noted that the award “follows another global recognition earlier this week when our Public Transport Council’s Heart Zones and Heartwheels@Linkway projects won the Asia-Pacific Special Recognition Award.”
Congratulating LTA, the Public Transport Council and Singapore, Mr Khaw said: “Public transport is an important service for our citizens. We will continue to work hard to make it better, more inclusive and more caring.”
PROUD MOMENT FOR #ONETRANSPORTUITP (International Association of Public Transport) reviews public transport worldwide…
Posted by Khaw Boon Wan on Wednesday, 12 June 2019
Earlier this year, Mr Khaw took extended medical leave to recuperate after he was hospitalised following a bad fall. There are rumours that the former People’s Action Party (PAP) chairman may be lifted out of his ward during the next General Election, to make way for fresh face Poh Li San.
Speculation arose in March that Ms Poh — a former Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) scholar and ex-helicopter pilot who now serves as Changi Airport Group’s Vice President — could be fielded as a ruling party candidate in the next general election.
Earlier, the Chinese daily highlighted Ms Poh’s experience as a grassroots leader and the fact that she recently became the vice-chairman of the PAP Sembawang branch as it speculated that she could be one of the fresh candidates to contest the next election under the PAP ticket.
When the publication had asked her whether she would contest in the next general election, which could be held as early as this year, Ms Poh replied: “(If) given a chance to serve as MP, I will give my best!
Later, Ms Poh provided more fodder for speculation as she told the press that she would be happy to serve in politics if she were given the opportunity and “honour” to do so. The 44-year-old told The Straits Times:
“If there is an opportunity for me to serve residents at a deeper level, I will be most honoured to do so, and I will do my best as well. At this moment, it is still uncertain and is really up to anybody’s guess.”
“Right now, I am focused on making sure that I do my job well, run my events well in Sembawang and contribute to the community.”
Netizens responding to Ms Poh’s remarks urged her to come out with it instead of being coy about whether she will be contesting in the election under the PAP ticket:
-/TISG
https://theindependent.sg.sg/no-need-to-wayang-singaporeans-criticise-ex-military-personnel-touted-to-be-potential-pap-candidate/