AHPETC trade fairs are about greed, not about benefiting shopkeepers & residents in Hougang
In the 25 Dec 2014 ST article “WP-run Town Council fined $800 over unlicensed fair”, Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC) Chairman, Ms Sylvia Lim said, “we are unable to organise activities to benefit residents and businesses in the area.”
Do not be fooled by this desperate playing of the “victim card”. The record shows that AHPETC trade fairs have hurt shopkeepers due to high frequency and long duration.
Instead, Ms Lim revealed AHPETC’s true motive when she said, “The town council has also lost a source of revenue to manage its operations.”
It is very clear. AHPETC’s trade fairs are about money. It has little to do with benefiting residents and businesses in the area.
Here is the background.
After AHPETC was formed, it took over common property at Hougang Central and at Kovan where Hougang Mall and Heartland Mall are located respectively. Hougang and Kovan MRT stations there ensure good crowds. It became apparent to AHPETC that it could generate revenue by renting out common property for commercial activities.
The more frequent and the longer the duration, the more money AHPETC gets. AHPETC pockets money from the highest bidder with little risk. The trade fair organiser takes the risk because he has to sublet and rent out the stalls to cover what he paid AHPETC. The stalls often sold items similar to those of the surrounding HDB shopkeepers.
At first, Hougang HDB shopkeepers were friendly and tolerated. As the trade fairs became more frequent and longer,their businesses were affected. They became unhappy. When the shopkeepers complained, AHPETC staff called the police. The issue was reported by the press. AHPETC’s gravy train was derailed.
AHPETC does not want to be restricted from making money by renting out common property for commercial activities.
The NEA trade fair application form states that....
http://www.tremeritus.com/2014/12/27/pap-victor-lye-ahpetc-trade-fairs-are-about-greed/
In the 25 Dec 2014 ST article “WP-run Town Council fined $800 over unlicensed fair”, Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC) Chairman, Ms Sylvia Lim said, “we are unable to organise activities to benefit residents and businesses in the area.”
Do not be fooled by this desperate playing of the “victim card”. The record shows that AHPETC trade fairs have hurt shopkeepers due to high frequency and long duration.
Instead, Ms Lim revealed AHPETC’s true motive when she said, “The town council has also lost a source of revenue to manage its operations.”
It is very clear. AHPETC’s trade fairs are about money. It has little to do with benefiting residents and businesses in the area.
Here is the background.
After AHPETC was formed, it took over common property at Hougang Central and at Kovan where Hougang Mall and Heartland Mall are located respectively. Hougang and Kovan MRT stations there ensure good crowds. It became apparent to AHPETC that it could generate revenue by renting out common property for commercial activities.
The more frequent and the longer the duration, the more money AHPETC gets. AHPETC pockets money from the highest bidder with little risk. The trade fair organiser takes the risk because he has to sublet and rent out the stalls to cover what he paid AHPETC. The stalls often sold items similar to those of the surrounding HDB shopkeepers.
At first, Hougang HDB shopkeepers were friendly and tolerated. As the trade fairs became more frequent and longer,their businesses were affected. They became unhappy. When the shopkeepers complained, AHPETC staff called the police. The issue was reported by the press. AHPETC’s gravy train was derailed.
AHPETC does not want to be restricted from making money by renting out common property for commercial activities.
The NEA trade fair application form states that....
http://www.tremeritus.com/2014/12/27/pap-victor-lye-ahpetc-trade-fairs-are-about-greed/
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