Please refer to http://www.todayonline.com/Hotnews/...wn-councils-entered-into-transaction-with-AIM
for the numbered replies. Text in italics are direct quotes from PAP MP Teo Ho Pin.
I would like to now state that any change in the makeup of the constituents of a TC will require revisions in the software. As we now know, a portion of the software is to keep track of delinquent payments for TC fees in the form of conservancy charges. Therefore, each TCs software has to contain the names and addresses of the individuals living at each and every house within the TC.
1] Teo Ho Pin says the following, "I now make this further statement to set out fully the relevant facts."
Let's see if he truly sets out the relevant facts.
2] In para [2] of his reply he states, "I am the co-ordinating Chairman of all the PAP-run Town Councils ("the TCs"). The PAP TCs meet regularly and work closely with one another. This allows the TCs to derive economies of scale and to share best practices among themselves. This improves the overall efficiency of the TCs, and ensures that all the PAP TCs can serve their residents better. "
In this statement, PAP MP Teo Ho Pin (THP) asserts that funds to develop the software for 'his' TCs were gathered from TCs other than the PAP. This is stated even as we know that in a democracy, as elections flow, one or more parties may be voted out or into an existing town council. It is therefore incorrect to assert that all TCs are owned by the PAP as the management of TCs is dependent on the political party that is voted by the voters living within a TC.
THP, in his first sentence in in para [2], he seems to be of the opinion that being the 'Chairman of all PAP-run Town Councils', he and his PAP political party has full ownership, henceforth, of all software, hardware, and infrastructure within each stated TC.
In para [2], THP fully agrees that economies of scale is an important criteria in lowering the cost of software and hardware for citizens within a TC. Let's see how he lives up to this belief of his. We should take note that THP has not stated when his tenure as coordinating Chairman of TCs began.
3] In 2003 a tender was called for a common system, which we can safely conclude includes software and hardware. Further, 'The term of the NCS contract ("NCS contract") was from 1 August 2003 to 31 October 2010. There was an option to further extend the contract for one year, until 31 October 2011.'
With the original contract of 2003 expiring in 2010, would it not have been prudent that THP as coordinating Chairman began sourcing for an upgrade to the system starting from 2008 or even 2009?
Let's see how this coordinating Chairman conducts his tasks on this matter, hitherto.
4] "In 2010, the NCS contract was going to expire. The TCs got together and jointly appointed Deloitte and Touche Enterprise Risk Services Pte Ltd ("D&T") to advise on the review of the computer system for all the TCs. Several meetings were held with D&T."
In the same year that the original contract was to expire, the extension notwithstanding, THP, only then decided to hire an external party to review the system. We should take note that this review is not equitable to hiring an external source for redevelopment or a new development but rather only a review.
5] "After a comprehensive review, D&T identified various deficiencies and gaps in the system. The main issue, however, was that the system was becoming obsolete and unmaintainable. It had been built in 2003, on Microsoft Windows XP and Oracle Financial 11 platforms. By 2010, Windows XP had been superseded by Windows Vista as well as Windows 7, and Oracle would soon phase out and discontinue support to its Financial 11 platform."
We should thank THP for stating that Oracle's Financial 11 was part of the system. Such information should provide us with a good amount of information as to the extent of the IP appropriated to the software developed by NCS for the TCs.
6] Nothing of note here but only because para [7] shows the brilliance of PAP MP Teo Ho Pin.
7] "It was clear to me that the existing computer software was already dated. The NCS contract would end by 31 October 2011 (if the one year extension option was exercised). However, assessing new software and actually developing a replacement system that would meet our new requirements would take time, maybe 18-24 months or even longer. We thus needed to ensure that we could get a further extension (beyond October 2011) from NCS, while working on redevelopment options."
The software was delivered in 2003. As many of us know, it takes a lot of time to develop customised software. Why did PAP MP Teo Ho Pin wait till it was too late to properly call for a redevelopment of the software. In the private sector such a blatant act of incompetence would not always be allowed. It is now 2013 and THP is still coordinating chairman of TCs. We expect better from the PAP. Why dies he state that more than 24 months is required for redevelopment while also stating that he only started looking at redevelopment plans when the original contract was to expire in lesser time?
THP! If you want to make yourself look like a fool, please do it within the confines of your home. Please do not belittle yourself in public. With such leaders, I fear that investors will not want to invest in Singapore!
8] Here THP states that DT was the one that suggested that a third party take ownership of the system without stating a single reason why such a suggestion was appropriate on monetary and qualitative terms. So much for THP and his saying that he will provide the relevant facts in his reply.
9] In para [9] THP implies that the original contract had IP rights for the software distributed across the then 14 TCs. If this was the case, then why didn't those involved, including NCS state that it would have been more efficient to have a single IP owner as it would save residents from paying much more as we look into the case of economies of scale.
This post is long and I have to cut it short now. I have a lot more to say. If you want to read more then log in later.
for the numbered replies. Text in italics are direct quotes from PAP MP Teo Ho Pin.
I would like to now state that any change in the makeup of the constituents of a TC will require revisions in the software. As we now know, a portion of the software is to keep track of delinquent payments for TC fees in the form of conservancy charges. Therefore, each TCs software has to contain the names and addresses of the individuals living at each and every house within the TC.
1] Teo Ho Pin says the following, "I now make this further statement to set out fully the relevant facts."
Let's see if he truly sets out the relevant facts.
2] In para [2] of his reply he states, "I am the co-ordinating Chairman of all the PAP-run Town Councils ("the TCs"). The PAP TCs meet regularly and work closely with one another. This allows the TCs to derive economies of scale and to share best practices among themselves. This improves the overall efficiency of the TCs, and ensures that all the PAP TCs can serve their residents better. "
In this statement, PAP MP Teo Ho Pin (THP) asserts that funds to develop the software for 'his' TCs were gathered from TCs other than the PAP. This is stated even as we know that in a democracy, as elections flow, one or more parties may be voted out or into an existing town council. It is therefore incorrect to assert that all TCs are owned by the PAP as the management of TCs is dependent on the political party that is voted by the voters living within a TC.
THP, in his first sentence in in para [2], he seems to be of the opinion that being the 'Chairman of all PAP-run Town Councils', he and his PAP political party has full ownership, henceforth, of all software, hardware, and infrastructure within each stated TC.
In para [2], THP fully agrees that economies of scale is an important criteria in lowering the cost of software and hardware for citizens within a TC. Let's see how he lives up to this belief of his. We should take note that THP has not stated when his tenure as coordinating Chairman of TCs began.
3] In 2003 a tender was called for a common system, which we can safely conclude includes software and hardware. Further, 'The term of the NCS contract ("NCS contract") was from 1 August 2003 to 31 October 2010. There was an option to further extend the contract for one year, until 31 October 2011.'
With the original contract of 2003 expiring in 2010, would it not have been prudent that THP as coordinating Chairman began sourcing for an upgrade to the system starting from 2008 or even 2009?
Let's see how this coordinating Chairman conducts his tasks on this matter, hitherto.
4] "In 2010, the NCS contract was going to expire. The TCs got together and jointly appointed Deloitte and Touche Enterprise Risk Services Pte Ltd ("D&T") to advise on the review of the computer system for all the TCs. Several meetings were held with D&T."
In the same year that the original contract was to expire, the extension notwithstanding, THP, only then decided to hire an external party to review the system. We should take note that this review is not equitable to hiring an external source for redevelopment or a new development but rather only a review.
5] "After a comprehensive review, D&T identified various deficiencies and gaps in the system. The main issue, however, was that the system was becoming obsolete and unmaintainable. It had been built in 2003, on Microsoft Windows XP and Oracle Financial 11 platforms. By 2010, Windows XP had been superseded by Windows Vista as well as Windows 7, and Oracle would soon phase out and discontinue support to its Financial 11 platform."
We should thank THP for stating that Oracle's Financial 11 was part of the system. Such information should provide us with a good amount of information as to the extent of the IP appropriated to the software developed by NCS for the TCs.
6] Nothing of note here but only because para [7] shows the brilliance of PAP MP Teo Ho Pin.
7] "It was clear to me that the existing computer software was already dated. The NCS contract would end by 31 October 2011 (if the one year extension option was exercised). However, assessing new software and actually developing a replacement system that would meet our new requirements would take time, maybe 18-24 months or even longer. We thus needed to ensure that we could get a further extension (beyond October 2011) from NCS, while working on redevelopment options."
The software was delivered in 2003. As many of us know, it takes a lot of time to develop customised software. Why did PAP MP Teo Ho Pin wait till it was too late to properly call for a redevelopment of the software. In the private sector such a blatant act of incompetence would not always be allowed. It is now 2013 and THP is still coordinating chairman of TCs. We expect better from the PAP. Why dies he state that more than 24 months is required for redevelopment while also stating that he only started looking at redevelopment plans when the original contract was to expire in lesser time?
THP! If you want to make yourself look like a fool, please do it within the confines of your home. Please do not belittle yourself in public. With such leaders, I fear that investors will not want to invest in Singapore!
8] Here THP states that DT was the one that suggested that a third party take ownership of the system without stating a single reason why such a suggestion was appropriate on monetary and qualitative terms. So much for THP and his saying that he will provide the relevant facts in his reply.
9] In para [9] THP implies that the original contract had IP rights for the software distributed across the then 14 TCs. If this was the case, then why didn't those involved, including NCS state that it would have been more efficient to have a single IP owner as it would save residents from paying much more as we look into the case of economies of scale.
This post is long and I have to cut it short now. I have a lot more to say. If you want to read more then log in later.
