In an effort to deter terrorist from attacking our MRT trains, the law enforcers have been stationing guards to patrol the trains. However, can the mere presence of 4 baton wielding guards do anything? Not, in my opinion. Why do I say so? Firstly, I frequently see them holding their hand phone sms-ing, paying more attention to the little gadget on their hands rather than surveying the train for suspicious characters. Secondly, they don’t give me an impression that they are alert. Whenever I look at them, they have this permanent glassy look in their eyes, perhaps they are sleeping with their eye lids open?! They don’t have the alertness of a prowler, ever ready to pounce on anyone threatening to blow up our facilities.

Having said all this, maybe it is panopticon at its very best