I think there is a confusion between Town Council and their "Managing Agent" e.g. EMSC, CPS?... for the Town Council. Had the funding for the software been fully paid by the "Managing Agents" and is then leased it to the TC, then there is absolutely no issue when EMS, CPS... chose to sell. However, if payment was made using TCs' funds which come from collection of SC & CC, then indirectly, the residents have ownership to the software. The disposal of this asset which the residents' have contributed for its purchase is the problem.Baey is very clear in his understanding of the situation. He is correct.
Is AHTC the govt run by the govt? Nope, its a political organisation run by WP that awarded management contract to FMSS which is also WP owned.
To put in an extreme scenario, it was like a TC building a beautiful playground for the residents using residents' SC/CC and then sold it a private company after which any one wanting to play there must pay an entrance fee. To justify such an arrangement, the residents will be appeased if it can be shown clearly why the playground was funded by TC in the first place and not paid by the Pte Co, and why selling it and leasing it back is the most economical option. They have tried explaining but may not be clear enough. The assurance that this pte company is maintaining the playground properly and is not overcharging the residents will not answer to the concern of the residents because with such a precedence, if a dishonest party takes over the running of the TC, things can go really wrong. By the same argument, WP can do the same for FMSS. (based on your post, is a WP owned co) which is not good at all.
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