Judge explains decision on Hougang by-election case
Published on Apr 10, 2012
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Housing & Development Board (HDB) flats at Hougang Avenue 3. Justice Philip Pillai has explained in writing his decision to hear a Hougang resident's bid to order the Prime Minister to hold a by-election within three months. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO
By Andrea Ong
Justice Philip Pillai has explained in writing his decision to hear a Hougang resident's bid to order the Prime Minister to hold a by-election within three months.
In his written grounds of decision dated April 9, Justice Pillai said he granted leave for Madam Vellama Marie Muthu's application to be heard in open court as he was 'of the view that the very low threshold for leave has been met'.
He said he made his decision without making any comment or decision on the merits and legal issues raised by the submissions from Madam Vellama's lawyer M Ravi and the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC). The AGC is represented by Chief Counsel David Chong and Senior State Counsel Hema Subramanian.
Madam Vellama, 42, a part-time cleaner, had filed an application on March 2 to get the court to declare that the Prime Minister does not have 'unfettered discretion' in deciding whether and when to call a by-election. She also asked the court to issue a mandatory order for him to do so within three months or a 'reasonable time
Does it Mean hearing will proceed on 16 Apr 12?
Published on Apr 10, 2012
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53Share
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inShare
Purchase this article for republication
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Housing & Development Board (HDB) flats at Hougang Avenue 3. Justice Philip Pillai has explained in writing his decision to hear a Hougang resident's bid to order the Prime Minister to hold a by-election within three months. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO
By Andrea Ong
Justice Philip Pillai has explained in writing his decision to hear a Hougang resident's bid to order the Prime Minister to hold a by-election within three months.
In his written grounds of decision dated April 9, Justice Pillai said he granted leave for Madam Vellama Marie Muthu's application to be heard in open court as he was 'of the view that the very low threshold for leave has been met'.
He said he made his decision without making any comment or decision on the merits and legal issues raised by the submissions from Madam Vellama's lawyer M Ravi and the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC). The AGC is represented by Chief Counsel David Chong and Senior State Counsel Hema Subramanian.
Madam Vellama, 42, a part-time cleaner, had filed an application on March 2 to get the court to declare that the Prime Minister does not have 'unfettered discretion' in deciding whether and when to call a by-election. She also asked the court to issue a mandatory order for him to do so within three months or a 'reasonable time
Does it Mean hearing will proceed on 16 Apr 12?