WP Says MND Lying Woh!! Defamation Lawsuit coming?

We refer to the Ministry of National Development (MND)’s media release on 4 June 2015 evening on its apparent reasons for an expedited appeal hearing before the Court of Appeal.

It is a gross misrepresentation and wrong of MND to say that Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC) wants to have government grants “without conditions and accountability”.

From the onset of the High Court case, AHPETC had written to MND that it accepted that the Town Councils Act enabled the Minister to set conditions on the disbursement of grants to Town Councils. AHPETC then went further to agree to most of the conditions that MND had proposed for the disbursement of the grants for FY 14/15 and FY 15/16. To date, only two issues remain: the identity of external accountants to co-sign cheques drawing on the grants, and AHPETC’s request for the entire grant for FY 14/15 to be placed in its Sinking Funds.

The High Court Judge had noted that in his view, the remaining issues were minor and technical, and could be overcome. He further urged parties to reach a consensus so that the grants could be disbursed as soon as possible. Instead of heeding the Judge’s advice, MND filed an appeal against the judgment within 48 hours.

Be that as it may, AHPETC will still want to work with MND to resolve the remaining issues relating to the grants amounting to about $14 million expeditiously and out of court.

AHPETC agreed to an expedited appeal as it wishes to have finality and to move on from this unnecessary litigation, which is a distraction and also a drain on the Town Council’s precious resources.

AHPETC disagrees with MND’s reasons for the expedited appeal. AHPETC is continuing to review its financial and control processes. AHPETC also notes the decision of the High Court that there is no legal basis for MND to apply to court to impose conditions on the grants, and no legal basis for independent accountants to be appointed to carry out inquiries into AHPETC’s past transactions.

SYLVIA LIM
CHAIRMAN
ALJUNIED-HOUGANG-PUNGGOL EAST TOWN COUNCIL


- See more at: http://www.allsingaporestuff.com/ar...s-stand-14-million-grant#sthash.Y8shR9r3.dpuf

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winnipegjets said:

Everything about this issue is suspect.

MND withholds funds for 2 years, one year before the PAP ministars make a ruckus out of it. Why?

The Auditor-General appoints 2 PWC partners (one's expertise is M&A and the other is forensic audit) for the job to audit the WP TC accounts? Why? AG office has no qualified auditors? Where are our millionaire civil servants in the AG's office? The two PWC partners were engaged to dig for dirt ...they came out with nothing.

MND wants to appoint the 2 PWC partners to oversee the finances of the WPTC. Isn't this a coup de'tat? Elected MPs now have to kowtow to appointed cronies of the PAP government. If that is the case, then we should abolish the Town Council concept.

The real reason why MND wants the 2 PWC partners to take charge of the WPTC finance is to allow them to create 'situations' that can justify the full takeover the WP TC.

PAP is the scums of sinkapore. Please get rid of them.

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THE Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC) finds Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong's accusations surprising and puzzling ("WP town council saga: Why lapses cannot be swept under the carpet"; yesterday).

We would like to make the following clarifications to correct the misconceptions.

What the High Court recently had to decide were mainly legal questions, that is, whether the court had the power to entertain the Ministry of National Development's (MND) request for the court to appoint and authorise independent accountants to

co-sign cheques for the disbursement of the Financial Year (FY) 2014/15 and FY2015/16 $14 million town council grants which the MND had withheld; and
to look into AHPETC's past transactions.

The High Court accepted the arguments of AHPETC's lawyers that there were no legal bases whatsoever for the MND's request, and accordingly, threw out the Government's entire case.

There was no trial and the High Court did not itself embark on a dedicated fact-finding exercise.

However, in the course of delivering the judgment, the High Court expressed views on AHPETC's lapses, but the views were based, principally, on the findings of the Auditor-General's Office (AGO) report.

A special two-day sitting of Parliament was convened to debate the AGO report.

All Workers' Party Members of Parliament (MPs) who are responsible for overseeing the management of the town council, including secretary-general Low Thia Khiang, participated in the debate to explain and clarify matters raised.

Party and town council chairman Sylvia Lim denies that she lied to Parliament.

Parliament has avenues such as the Committee of Privileges to ensure that MPs' conduct meets the standards expected.

Just because AHPETC did not physically transfer monies into sinking funds from its operating funds does not mean that monies are missing.

Up to FY2013/14, AHPETC has done the necessary transfers.

Currently, the MND is withholding $14 million in grants to AHPETC.

If the MND continues to withhold the grants from AHPETC that every town council should receive, AHPETC will not be able to fulfil its obligations to make the necessary sinking fund transfers.

AHPETC does not understand the basis for Mr Wong to accuse AHPETC or the Workers' Party of "dishonesty" or "irresponsible" behaviour.

All town councils are required to be audited, and the audit reports are presented to Parliament for public scrutiny.

Whether AHPETC's contractors are delivering services or not, and the standard of their work, is a matter that residents can assess for themselves.

When town councils engage contractors, they are required to comply with rules on the calling of public tenders.

If any town council staff has committed any illegal act or corrupt practice, he will have to face the full consequences of the law.

Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council spokesman
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/premium...s-party-replies-20150606#sthash.xtfErQSx.dpuf

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JohnTan said:

WP remains defiant! They still refuse to apologize and admit their mistake even though Law Minister already said before their conduct is wrong. What's wrong with these people?

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JohnTan said:

WP remains defiant! They still refuse to apologize and admit their mistake even though Law Minister already said before their conduct is wrong. What's wrong with these people?

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JohnTan said:

WP remains defiant! They still refuse to apologize and admit their mistake even though Law Minister already said before their conduct is wrong. What's wrong with these people?

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xpo2015 said:

Can Ah Loong multitask?

How about one more SIA accident?

Or oil refinery explosion?

What about HDB flats collapse?

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freedalas said:

The plot to bring down AHTC was hatched soon after PAP lost there. It is 4 years in the making. It is to fulfill the Old Fart's threat that the voters will live to repent if they vote in the opposition. Now that the next GE is round the corner, PAP's efforts need to gain momentum hence things are coming fast and furious. The PAP is as despicable as it has always been, with or without the dead Old Fart.

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