Ex-SMRT drivers accused of inciting strike likely to plead guilty

Four former SMRT bus drivers involved in last November's illegal bus strike today indicated that they will plead guilty.

The decision to plead came after the defence asked the prosecution for the various sentencing options.

He Jun Ling, 32, Gao Yue Qiang, 32, Liu Xiangying, 33, and Wang Xian Jie, 39,  will be in court on Monday (25 Feb) to admit their guilt.

The four were arrested by the police in November 2012 for inciting and participating in the illegal strike.

They had earlier claimed trial with trial dates set for the 4th to the 8th March.

171 SMRT bus drivers failed to report for duty on November 26 last year in a protest over pay and living conditions.  

Eighty-eight of them stayed away from work the next day.

Last December, a SMRT bus driver, Bao Feng Shan, 38, also from China, was sentenced to six weeks' jail for taking part in the November illegal strike.