Not because of any patriotic zeal, which I have none when it comes to matters like this, but because I have always felt that Singapore has one of the best, if not the best, MRT trains in this part of the world. They are clean, efficient, spacious and especially safe.

On the issue of cleanliness, one cannot but agree that a big part of it is attributable to the Singapore Government's implacable stand on not allowing commuters to consume food and drinks in the trains.

However, in recent months, commuters who regularly travel by train would agree with me that there has been a general laxity on the part of the SMRT and SBS Transit in enforcing this ban.

Commuters drinking soft drinks and eating foodstuffs like hamburgers and, in one instance, even popiah lavishly smeared with chilli have become a common sight, much to the chagrin of people who respect the laws.

If this trend continues, before long, our trains shall descend to the standards of those countries where their trains are littered with food crumbs, food leftovers, and are hosts to rodents and parasites.

On many occasions I have reported such errant commuters to the station masters. While the SMRT authorities take a laudably stern view of such violations, SBS Transit makes light of them. When I asked the latter for its reason, the company explained to me that in the interest of public relations, it does not want to take any action against offenders.

The success of our nation lies primarily in our being disciplined. It is our total and concerted efforts at remaining a nation of disciplined people that will ensure our continued success.

Selvakumar Prakasam