In the Nparks Brompton Bicycle saga, we, the online netizens, has highlighted some of the indulges and excesses of public service.
Last week was Public Service Week to celebrate contributions of public servants towards public.
Today, we celebrate Private Sector week as we expose some of the things that public service has splurged on that we, in the private sector, can sometimes only dream of.
I was looking through GeBiz, the government tender portal, and discovered some questionable purchases.
1) 13 Capsule Operated Coffee Machines. Many of us who have been to NTUC or Cold Storage know that these coffee machines are not cheap and strictly for the coffee junkies. Ministry of Foreign Affairs has ordered these coffee machines for their staff or visitors?
2) Aquatic bicycles. What exactly are aquatic bicycles? I had to Google them to find out. Is it those bicycles that don't have wheels and you peddle them in swimming pool and splash around to have fun in them?
I also don't know why Sports Singapore ordered them and they cost a total of $65,000 of our money:
3) $6000 Chair for Prisons Service. Initially, I thought it's $6000 for 20 chairs or so but it was just for 1 chair only. Could I be wrong? What is it exactly that a chair can cost more than $6000 for just one quantity? Could it be gold-plated?
4) $62,000 Dinner and Dance for URA at Singapore Marriott Hotel. I am not in events management but then, what could it be that cost $62000? Is it the food? Why can't URA hold their DnD at Expo or SAFRA where it's cheaper?
5) $292,000 Toilet Upgrading at Judiciary States Court. It was for toilet upgrading for both men and women at Level 1 and 3 and 5. Cannot say too much as States Court has a reputation for bringing any netizens that bad-mouth them.
All these are listed on GeBiz, which is the portal used when public money is being spent by stat boards and government ministries. Are all these strictly necessary?
CJ
TRS Contributor