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SCMP Reporter

Send us your tributes and memories of canto-pop diva Anita Mui Yim-fong

Since you left us on December 30, your songs, voices and words have been lingering in my head. I truly believe a great icon will never die; you will accompany us forever.

I pay my special tribute to you by thinking of your courageous words, your illustrious career and stirring songs. The first singer I knew since I immigrated to Hong Kong was Mui Yim-fong. Your songs influenced my younger life greatly, making me sad, excited and jovial in turn. Your philosophies about life, friends and about your career are your most important legacy.

Your sad life was too changeable and unpredictable. We should cherish our every minute and hour doing something happy and meaningful for others.

You never expected to get  anything from your selfless contribution to society, your friends and family, but just to help them. You were a person with true compassion. You advised people to cherish life.

As a devout Buddhist, you devoted your whole life not only to your career but also to charity and the community. You have organised many fundraisers and donated a substantial sum to many people in need.

Your composure and your peaceful strong mind in the face of disease and death deeply impressed Hong Kong people.

Even during your last days, you still persisted in performing  and making a picture book for the Cancer Society. You gave us an example of the most beautiful qualities in human beings - generosity, caring and loving.

Anita, you would feel so relieved to know thousands of people from  across the world came to say farewell.

Thank you Anita, for your songs, performances, movies and contributions to society - your young, glorious life has thoroughly been devoted to  Hong Kong and many people in need. I love you.

Donna Wong, Pokfulam

Q What should banks do to improve ATM security?

Instead of focusing on the surveillance of ATMs, banks should  devote their attentions to the security of ATM cards.

The technique of using magnetic strips to store information in the cards was invented in the 1970s and is obviously out-dated. Magnetic strip readers can be found everywhere - thus the information on ATM cards can be easily stolen and forged.

Many banks abroad have replaced magnetic strips with microprocessor chips, which can neither be read nor faked. Disappointingly, local banks deny the necessity of replacement due to cost problems.

However, the recent crimes have shown the banks are wrong. It's about time they  stopped putting their clients in jeopardy.

Kristy Hung Ling-yee, Tai Po

I was very surprised to read that police have been asked to step up surveillance of bank ATMs.

Surely the police have far more important matters to address than to act as de facto security guards for banks.  Banks should conduct their own surveillance and only call the police if and when further spying devices are discovered. Name and address supplied

On other matters ...

I am horrified with the arson attack on the MTR and I want to express my suggestions to help prevent further such incidents.

I think the MTR should recruit some security guards to work in the carriages. When there is an accident, they would maintain order and prevent the situation becoming a mess.

Education is also important. The company should put more effort into teaching passengers what they should do when accidents happen. They should keep silent and listen to the driver.

I truly hope no more incidents such as the arson attack ever happen again!

Yuen Wing-ka, Tuen Mun

We understand the concerns expressed by your reader about the arson attack on an MTR train that was published in the Talkback column on January 8. We wish to reassure your readers that the MTR is built and operated to the highest international safety standards. Trains are made entirely of non-flammable materials to minimise fire risk and to limit the spread of flames if a fire does break out.

Each train car is equipped with two fire extinguishers as well as emergency ventilation windows that can be opened to disperse smoke from inside the carriages.

The open design of the carriages allows passengers to move away from the source of any flames or smoke while the train is being taken to the next station platform where evacuation can be conducted in the safest manner, as was the case on January 5.

Each year, the corporation conducts a series of emergency drills in conjunction with the police, fire services department and other emergency units. The effectiveness of the procedures worked well in this incident, allowing the emergency situation to be defused quickly and for normal train services to be resumed within 30 minutes. On a daily basis, trains are patrolled regularly by Railway District police officers as well as MTR staff.

As your reader pointed out, radio broadcasts are currently not available in the MTR system. The corporation has, in the past, studied the possibility and found that to install the necessary equipment, a large investment would be needed.

When there is an emergency within the MTR, we would encourage passengers to give their full attention to the information and instructions provided by our staff through the public broadcast system to ensure their safety.

The corporation condemns the arson attack of January 5 and remains committed to providing a safe, reliable and efficient mass transit service for Hong Kong.

Miranda Leung, MTR corporate relations manager



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