SMRT disputes Straits Times report that SMRT Trains CEO is expected to leave the organisation

Rail operator SMRT has disputed a recent Straits Times report that claimed that SMRT Trains Ltd director and chief executive officer Lee Ling Wee and Executive Vice-President (Experience) Dawn Low are expected to leave the organisation.

In an article published last Saturday (15 June), the national broadsheet noted that there has been a spate of resignations at Temasek-owned SMRT.

Two deputy directors and a whopping 30 executives from SMRT’s human resources (HR) department resigned in the past year after SMRT’s chief corporate officer in charge of information technology, procurement, HR and training, Gerard Koh, left in August 2018.

Others who have quit include chief commuter engagement officer Elaine Koh, senior vice-president of maintenance and engineering Chia Chun Wah, and Singapore Rail Engineering head Mario Favaits.

Citing these resignations, the Straits Times claimed that Mr Lee Ling Wee “is expected to relinquish his post, and is currently working to hand over his duties to Mr Lam Sheau Kai.”

Mr Lam, a former brigadier-general who also worked for a consultancy arm of the Land Transport Authority, was seconded to SMRT this March and was appointed deputy managing director for the new Thomson-East Coast MRT line.

The national broadsheet boldly asserted: “Mr Lee was not contactable for comment, but people who are close to him said he is likely to leave once Mr Lam is ready to assume the helm.

“”He wants to ensure a smooth handover so as not to jeopardise all the efforts in recent years to raise and maintain high standards,” one said.”

The Straits Times added that it understands that Ms Dawn Low, who helped build up SMRT’s retail arm, “is also expected to leave.”

SMRT has since rubbished such speculation and has informed the publication that the claims that Mr Lee and Ms Low are leaving the organisation are incorrect.

Apologising for the error, the national broadsheet changed the title of their article to reflect that SMRT has responded to the report. The paper also published a correction notice which included a quote from Mr Lee who said, “The recent media speculation and reporting of my departure from SMRT is not true. I enjoy working with my team and am fully committed to my work at SMRT. I am not leaving.” -/TISG