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Flaws in report card system, says MP
VETERAN MP Ang Mong Seng believes the report card on the performance of town councils could have the unintended effect of turning back the clock.
Before town councils were set up in 1989, the HDB applied a uniform set of rules in managing estates across the island, similar to the Town Council Management Report (TCMR) today, said Mr Ang, who now chairs Hong Kah Town Council.
'The TCMR applies the same standards regardless of whether you are old or new or big. This seems to be going back to the old system,' he said.
Mr Ang, a town council general manager from 1989 to 1997 - the year he entered politics - said councils were set up in 1989 to give each town flexibility in looking after its residents.
But the report, prepared by the National Development Ministry, goes against that principle, he argued.
'Some towns are newer and have better facilities, while older towns have residents who resettled from farms or kampungs. Their habits and needs will differ,' he said.
Another weakness is the difficulty that council chairmen and MPs face in balancing good scores for the report with keeping residents happy.
For example, clearing corridors will leave them bare, like a concrete jungle: 'As long as safety standards are met and corridors stay clean, why not allow plants and chairs so residents can meet and chat after dinner?'
There can also be more flexibility in how some indicators are applied. But there should be no compromise on lifts: 'No matter how old the lift is, it has to be well maintained because it touches on residents' safety.'
Mr Ang suggested that the reports continue to be produced for one or two more years so that councils can get used to the performance indicators. Then they should be free to gauge their own performance so long as they meet minimum requirements set by MND.
'It's like driving. You set a speed limit but the driver decides his speed. As long as people drive below 90kmh, it's fine. You do not say everyone must drive at 90kmh.'
ANDREA ONG
VETERAN MP Ang Mong Seng believes the report card on the performance of town councils could have the unintended effect of turning back the clock.
Before town councils were set up in 1989, the HDB applied a uniform set of rules in managing estates across the island, similar to the Town Council Management Report (TCMR) today, said Mr Ang, who now chairs Hong Kah Town Council.
'The TCMR applies the same standards regardless of whether you are old or new or big. This seems to be going back to the old system,' he said.
Mr Ang, a town council general manager from 1989 to 1997 - the year he entered politics - said councils were set up in 1989 to give each town flexibility in looking after its residents.
But the report, prepared by the National Development Ministry, goes against that principle, he argued.
'Some towns are newer and have better facilities, while older towns have residents who resettled from farms or kampungs. Their habits and needs will differ,' he said.
Another weakness is the difficulty that council chairmen and MPs face in balancing good scores for the report with keeping residents happy.
For example, clearing corridors will leave them bare, like a concrete jungle: 'As long as safety standards are met and corridors stay clean, why not allow plants and chairs so residents can meet and chat after dinner?'
There can also be more flexibility in how some indicators are applied. But there should be no compromise on lifts: 'No matter how old the lift is, it has to be well maintained because it touches on residents' safety.'
Mr Ang suggested that the reports continue to be produced for one or two more years so that councils can get used to the performance indicators. Then they should be free to gauge their own performance so long as they meet minimum requirements set by MND.
'It's like driving. You set a speed limit but the driver decides his speed. As long as people drive below 90kmh, it's fine. You do not say everyone must drive at 90kmh.'
ANDREA ONG
