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Page 11
 
 
 
 

THE PROPOSAL TO BUILD yet another flyover costing millions for the purpose, it is said, of easing traffic at the Turf Club road junctions does not make sense. Traffic solutions are not found in the speedier movement of cars from one road jam to another. “The Hindu” newspaper discussion on the flyover in Chennai, India, found that the traffic lanes would be clogged up after four years. The correct solution surely must be in what is nowadays called “traffic calming”

We have far too many cars. A recent study on Traffic Management by Technology Information, New Delhi, found that per 1000 of population Singapore had 197 cars, whereas Malaysia had 315. This suggests the need for improvement in the mass transport system. Our buses are notoriously inefficient and despite many complaints nothing has been done to improve the services offered. An effort must be made to provide public transport that is comfortable, regular, reliable and attractive and available on most roads

The proposed flyover is yet another example of bureaucracy running amok. No attempt is made to consult public opinion by holding  a public hearing or by some other means.

We would suggest that if there are funds they should be spent on retrieving the public health services from the privatised companies which have proved to be a disaster, so that our drains may be regularly cleaned and our stinking rubbish bins cleared on the days when they are supposed to be cleared

And the scandal of  human waste discharged into the sea must be ended. Nothing has been down to stop the nasty  colonial practice, although decades ago we were told that a federal loan was being obtained for a central sewerage system. Thailand’s Pattaya claims that its seas are now safe for swimming. If they can do it why can’t we?

The Red and Gold Shoe

TEATER MUZICAL successfully staged Margaret R Bhatty’s inter ethnic The Red and Gold Shoe in Penang. The audience, mainly of young children, were enthralled, captives of the story, the splendid acting, the dancing and the music. Like their audience, actors, musicians and dancers were all between 10 and 17. The artistic director of the triumphant show was Janet Pillai; choreography, Aida Redza; music Tan Sooi Beng and lyrics, Tan Sooi Beng and Kit Leee

Actors were Johan Dzulkifli, Liu Yong Sean, Shari Chong Ying Yi and T Nagarajen. Singers and musicians were Adil b Johan, Amrit Kaur, Cheong Ngah Kheng, Clare Chang, Jenita bte M A Fawzi, Janet Tan Ching Lean, Jonathan Tan Hoe Keat, Priyadashini Loganathan, Sara Loh Chi Yan and Tung Yinling.

The dancers were Edward Loh Cxhung Leng, Kenny Saw, Lee-Lim Ai Ping, Pamela Song Jun-Mei, Saw Yen Chin and Simran b Abdul Latif. Among these young enthusiasts are many to watch, for they display talents which will no doubt come to full flower in their later years.#