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  • Teo Chee Hean Slams WP Over Town Council Issue

    Teo Chee Hean Slams WP Over Town Council Issue

    The gloves are off.

    Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean unleashed some of the sharpest verbal attacks in the election season so far when he took aim at the Worker’s Party handling of Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC).

    It was meant to be a Meet-the-Media session before the “sound and fury” of the election overwhelms the fundamentals of choosing a candidate to secure Singapore’s future.

    But the Minister of Home Affairs delivered some of the fury himself when he was asked about what his People’s Action Party (PAP) would do if it wins back Aljunied GRC.

    The first priority for the PAP, if elected, would be to “go in and sort out the mess in the town council”, said Mr Teo.

    The PAP’s first assistant secretary-general noted that under the PAP previously, Aljunied GRC and Punggol East SMC were running healthy surpluses before they were amalgamated into AHPETC.

    Mr Teo said: “Now the whole AHPETC is in deficit. How did that happen? How did a large surplus turn into deficit? Where did the money go?”

    Mr Teo even took a swipe at AHPTEC chairman Sylvia Lim for her recent Instagram post, which fuelled rumours of her possibly running in Fengshan SMC.

    The photo showed Ms Lim sampling fried oyster omelette with the caption “The taste of Fengshan – heavenly! #reasontowin”.

    Mr Teo said: “Now we see the chairman of the town council saying that Fengshan SMC looks quite delicious. What’s going to happen? You’re going to swallow up Fengshan? For what purpose? To serve the residents of Fengshan? Or is Fengshan delicious because you want to add it to the pot? And help the town council with the deficit?”

    RISKS

    Political analyst Eugene Tan said: “These potshots are clear indications that the gloves have come off even before the word go.

    “PAP is clearly going on the offensive. Essentially, it is going for WP’s Achilles’ heel, which is the AHPETC issue.”

    Added the associate law professor at Singapore Management University: “It appears that PAP will keep hammering home this matter… And this may instead be perceived to be patronising to voters.”

    Meanwhile, Institute of Policy Studies senior research fellow Gillian Koh said this was an ongoing issue that will be brought up constantly throughout the hustings period.

    “It is just inevitable that after four years, this issue will crop up, especially since PAP values accountability, transparency and honesty.”

    Party veteran Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong was also in a fighting mood during a speech last night. (See report above.)

    On the selection of MPs, he said: “At the very least, they must be able to run a town council in a transparent, accountable and responsible manner.”

    Mr Teo said there is a difference between individual mistakes and major lapses in financial accounting. Armed with the Auditor-General Office report on the issue, he said it was a “blanket assessment that their financial accounts can’t be relied upon. That’s quite serious.”

    That was why he could not leave it alone, he said.

    When asked if voters would be turned off by PAP’s overly critical comments, he replied: “Well, I think it is an important issue and a fairly fundamental one. You want to say you are setting yourself up as an alternate government. You must be at least able to run a town council… We should not keep quiet about it.”

    It is not only about competence, but also about integrity when choosing MPs, he said.

    In the wide-ranging session, the DPM was also asked about WP leader Low Thia Kiang’s thinly veiled criticism when he asked if the departure of Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew was because he “has not been supported by his Cabinet colleagues”.

    Mr Teo dismissed it as “crocodile tears”

    He said: “I think it’s very characteristic of Mr Low to squeeze the most political mileage out of anything. I’m sure if his party had contested where Mr Lui stood, he wouldn’t be saying nice things about him.”

    Recognising that the electorate would want opposition voices, he noted that the Constitution provided for nine opposition members in Parliament. He said: “Make sure you vote for a candidate and a party whom you really want to place your future in the hands of. Make sure they’re the ones you want to manage your money and your town council.”

    “These potshots are clear indications that the gloves have come off even before the word go. PAP is clearly going on the offensive. Essentially, they are going for WP’s Archilles heel, which is the AHPETC issue.”

    – Political analyst Eugene Tan, who warned that this tactic may backfire on the PAP

    This election is about the future: DPM Teo

    Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said it is important to think of what the General Election (GE) is about.

    THE FUTURE

    “This election is about the future. It’s about setting down who the voters will select as their team to lead Singapore into the future.

    “I’m not talking about the next five years. I’m talking about a good leadership team 20, 30 years into the future.”

    “Good, stable, honest leadership with a heart for the people” is not a given, said DPM Teo.

    THE LEADERSHIP

    A “steady flow of good, able people” is crucial.

    DPM Teo said that Singapore’s was the only system he knew of where politicians were actively searching for their successors as soon as they could.

    It is not just a task for the Government, he said, urging Singaporeans to play an important role in choosing the next generation of leaders.

    “If you reduce the number of people who can be on that team, you’re going to have a weaker team. The next Prime Minister, whoever he is, will have fewer people to choose from.

    “It is not the PAP or the Government who will have a weaker team. Singapore will have a weaker team to advance Singapore’s interest on the international stage.”

    THE TRACK RECORD

    DPM Teo reflected on the PAP’s “track record of doing the right things” over the past 50 years. He said the foundation of various policies had been put in place years before.

    He highlighted Workfare, implemented in 2007, as an example of a scheme that encouraged a “more inclusive society”, where everyone has an opportunity to “share in the prosperity of Singapore”.

    On immigration, a sticky issue among Singaporeans, he said the Government had begun tightening controls even before the 2011 GE.

    On retirement savings, DPM Teo said: “The CPF system is not new, but what we’ve done also is introduce more flexibility to cater for different people in different circumstances.

    “There is more yet to be done, but you know it can be undone, too.”

    The easiest thing to do is to be populist or rile people up, he said.

    “Even I know how to do that.”

    “It is much harder to work together” to make trade-offs that are balanced and nuanced.

    THE TRUST

    Acknowledging the changing characteristics of the electorates, who are now online-savvy and quick to respond, DPM Teo said it is important to “establish trust”.

    “There is record of many years of building Singapore, working for Singapore and for Singaporeans.

    “We hope that Singapore will be able to trust the PAP and the leadership.

     

    Source: www.tnp.sg

  • Court Of Appeal Reserves Judgment On MND’s Appeal On AHPETC Ruling

    Court Of Appeal Reserves Judgment On MND’s Appeal On AHPETC Ruling

    The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment for the Ministry of National Development’s (MND) appeal against a High Court decision not to appoint independent accountants to the town council run by the Workers’ Party (WP).

    The MND’s lawyer argued that the court’s ambit should extend to its request for it to appoint independent accountants to the Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC), but AHPETC’s lawyer disagreed.

    The crux of the hearing on Monday was to determine whether to uphold High Court Justice Quentin Loh’s finding in May, that there was no legal basis for the MND to ask the court to appoint the independent accountants.

    In his decision, Justice Loh had criticised AHPETC over its lapses, but said that the law only has provisions for the HDB or residents – and not the ministry – to take legal action against a town council that fails to perform its duties.

    He also said that the National Development Minister has powers to appoint the accountants as a condition for disbursing grants to town councils, and does not have to go through the court.

    In appealing the ruling, the MND cited the High Court’s grim view of AHPETC’s actions: “The Judge found that AHPETC had breached and continues to be in breach of its duties and obligations in law, and that there are critical questions about the state of its finances. The Government cannot disburse public funds to AHPETC in the current circumstances, given the very serious findings by the AGO and the High Court.”

    Justice Loh had harsh words for AHPETC, describing it as a “travesty” that it ignored its duties and obligations.

    He was critical of the state of the town council’s accounts, and questioned the validity and propriety of payments previously made to related parties – a reference to AHPETC’s managing agent firms that are owned by the town council’s key officials.

    The MND had said that given the High Court’s findings, it could not immediately disburse about $14 million in grants, over two financial years, to AHPETC without independent accountants safeguarding the monies.

    The MND withheld the sum from AHPETC owing to financial lapses uncovered by the Auditor-General’s Office during a special audit.

    In March, the MND applied to the High Court to appoint independent accountants to AHPETC to oversee the grants, co-sign payments above $20,000, examine past payments, and recover any losses.

    MND’s June 22 application to add the HDB as a co-plaintiff was in anticipation of two possible developments: the Court of Appeal agreeing that HDB, and not MND, is entitled to seek the court order; and the Court of Appeal finding that the sole reason for not appointing accountants is that the MND is not the right party to initiate such action.

     

    Source: www.straitstimes.com

  • Lee Li Lian: WP Has Done A Good Job In Parliament

    Lee Li Lian: WP Has Done A Good Job In Parliament

    Jan 15, 2013 – Workers’ Party (WP) candidate for Punggol East Lee Li Lian on Tuesday defended the performance of her party mates in Parliament over the past year and a half following criticism that they failed to present a strong alternative voice.

    Expectations of the opposition group had been raised after it scored its best showing in the general election in 2011 in which it won six out of 87 seats up for grabs and grabbed two places for Non-Constituency Members of Parliament.

    “I think that the Workers’ Party MPs have done a good job — given the imbalance in numbers. We had eight, whereas the PAP (People’s Action Party) have 80. There’s a difference definitely in terms of time given to us” she told Yahoo! Singapore in a one-on-one interview on Tuesday afternoon in Rivervale Drive.

    [Click here to watch the video interview.]

    She said her party  MPs — currently consisting of secretary-general Low Thia Khiang, chairman Sylvia Lim, Pritam Singh, Chen Show Mao and Muhamad Faisal bin Abdul Manap for Aljunied GRC, and Png Eng Huat for Hougang SMC, as well as NCMPs Gerald Giam and Yee Jenn Jong — have raised “pertinent issues” in Parliament so far, pressing the government for answers on public transport, housing, healthcare, population and immigration, among others.

    “I hope to be able to add to the strength that we currently have,” she added.

    A focus on procreation policies

    Asked what issues she will focus on should she join the ranks of her cadre in Parliament, she said she will raise concerns that residents in Punggol East have brought up.

    “(I foresee that to include) the considerations and concerns that young couples will have,” she said, noting that the constituency possesses a distinctly younger age demographic — with almost 50 per cent being between age 22 and 49, while those aged 50 and above forming about 20 to 30 per cent of residents.

    These, she added, correspond to issues she holds close to her heart and feels most strongly about: the concerns of young couples, families and the welfare of the elderly, particularly those of single parents and stay-at-home mothers.

    “Stay-at-home mothers don’t qualify for workfare bonus, but that doesn’t mean that they are not doing anything,” she said. “They’re working at home… when you come home, they have piping hot food for you — are they not working? They are. So why are they not given this? I think they should be given more attention,” she added.

    Lee also feels that fathers should be given six days of paternity leave — one of the practical policy changes she says she will fight for, should she gain a seat in Parliament.

    “I think it would be good (to have more paternity leave), perhaps half funded by the government, because fathers play an equally important role in family-building,” she said.

    Turning to single mothers, Lee said they take priority on her list because she has seen for herself how they suffer at the hands of existing policies, in particular the prevailing rule that does not allow single parents with their children to form a family unit and purchase an HDB flat.

    “(That rule) is one thing I hope can be abolished so they can have a shelter when they have no one to depend on,” she said. “When you have a pair of parents, it’s already not easy, so if you have only one, I think it’s even tougher. I’m not saying they should receive special incentives… what they’re asking for is just the same benefits as other married mothers,” she said.

    Lee previously responded to other criticism that she had not been walking the ground in Punggol East over the past year and a half since she lost to ex-Speaker of Parliament Michael Palmer in 2011

    In the press conference Monday where she was unveiled as the WP candidate of choice for the upcoming by-election,  she said she still visited Punggol East on occasion despite being preoccupied with her duties as legislative assistant to Singh, helping the Aljunied GRC MP with his constituency groundwork.

    She also continued to dodge questions about other possible candidates in the election, or requests for estimates on her chances at the polls, reiterating that she preferred to focus on her campaign and her priority in getting reacquainted with the residents.

    Watch a video interview that we did with Lee here:

    Punggol East by-election – One on One with Worker’s Party candidate Lee Li LianSatish Cheney finds out more about the woman the Workers’ Party is counting on to bring in the votes at the Punggol East by-election. The 34-year-old Liverpool fan with a creative streak reveals more about herself and gives her take on issues on the ground.

    Source: https://sg.news.yahoo.com

     

  • AHPETC: MND’s Concerns Highlight Old Issues

    AHPETC: MND’s Concerns Highlight Old Issues

    The Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC) says the areas of concern cited by the Ministry of National Development (MND) on its recently submitted accounts were “old issues” that have been explained previously, and that progress is being made to clear up other problems.

    Although the Workers’ Party-run (WP) town council met a newly imposed June 30 deadline to submit its accounts for the financial year (FY) 2013/2014, the MND noted on Wednesday that the accounts were already late by 10 months.

    But AHPETC responded on Thursday night saying “this is an old issue previously explained inside and outside of Parliament …”

    AHPETC chairman Sylvia Lim had said in the foreword of the town council’s annual report that its resources were taken up by an audit by the Auditor-General’s Office (AGO) from March 2014 to January 2015. As such, it was only able to secure a commercial auditor to prepare the accounts after many months.

    The MND said that AHPETC’s own auditors, Audit Alliance, were unable to verify the accounts for the third year running.

    The auditors flagged eight areas of concern, including the presence of related party transactions. This was a reference to two companies engaged by AHPETC, including managing agent FM Solutions and Services, being owned by some key officials of the town council..

    Here, AHPETC’s response was that related party transactions was “an old issue on which AHPETC has made progress”.

    It added that “any concerns will be completely removed after July 15, 2015, when the current managing agent contract expires and AHPETC is directly managed.”

    The town council also said “significant progress has been made on clearing past disclaimers”. This was a reference to the 13 disclaimers – of which three remain unresolved – raised by previous auditors Foo Kon Tan Grant Thornton in its FY 2012/2013 report.

    But AHPETC acknowledged that future audit reports were likely to still “contain qualifications relating to specific items especially handover opening balances, which remain unresolved even with the assistance of AGO, despite 10 months of extensive work”.

    MND on Wednesday also highlighted the state of the town council’s operating surplus and deficit.

    AHPETC had gone from an operating surplus of $1.1 million in FY 2011/2012 to a deficit of $1.53 million in FY 2012/2013.

    By FY 2013/2014, the deficit hit $2.01 million.

    But the town council said in its statement on Thursday that its operating deficit had increased substantially in FY 2013/2014, as operating expenses had risen.

    Meanwhile, the additional revenue it received from the collection of service and conservancy charges (S&CC) in Punggol East – which the WP won in a 2013 by-election – were more than offset by increases in conservancy, cleaning, lift maintenance, and utilities, amongs others things.

    AHPETC also took issue with the MND’s statement the town council had understated its annual operating deficit in FY 2012/2013 by half.

    “The annual operating deficit for FY 12/13 was restated in response to the findings of the AGO audit. The adjustments included corrections as well as provisions made for impairment,” it said.

    It added: “We believe that the trend in changes in AHPETC’s financial position and results of operations will become clearer following the audit (for) FY 2014/2015.”

    These accounts are due for submission to the MND by Aug 31.

    AHPETC also highlighted two points in its auditor’s report that it wanted to “draw public attention” to.

    First, that its auditors said the town council complied with the Town Councils Act in “the receipts, expenditure, investment of moneys and the acquisition and disposal of assets”.

    And second, that the auditors attested that “proper accounting and other records have been kept, including records of all assets of the Town Council whether purchased, donated or otherwise”.

    This was in response to the MND having said that AHPETC failed to comply with the Town Council Act and Town Council Financial Rules as there were lapses in tender specifications prepared by its managing agent; that sinking fund transfers were late; and that town improvement expenses were wrongly paid out of the sinking fund – points that were also made by AHPETC’s own auditors.

     

    Source: www.straitstimes.com

  • MND: AHPETC’s Accounts Exacerbate Concerns

    MND: AHPETC’s Accounts Exacerbate Concerns

    A day after the Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC) submitted its overdue financial statements and report for FY2013, the Ministry of National Development (MND) issued a response, saying that the documents reinforced its concerns about the town council’s state of financial affairs.

    The MND, noting that the statement and report — submitted on Tuesday (June 30) — were 10 months late and that AHPETC required repeated reminders, said it will study the report. But it pointed out the auditors engaged by AHPETC had disclaimers of opinion in their report — the third consecutive year the town council has received qualified statements from its independent auditors.

    Audit Alliance, the auditors appointed by AHPETC, had flagged eight areas of concern, some of them similar to issues raised by the Auditor-General’s Office (AGO) in its report on AHPETC accounts for FY12/13.

    The auditors found that there was no segregation of duty between the person certifying invoices from FM Solution and Services (FMSS) for Managing Agent services, and the person approving related payment vouchers. AHPETC’s deputy general manager, who is a shareholder and director of FMSS, certified 12 invoices received from FMSS for Managing Agent services totalling S$2.1 million, and approved the related payment vouchers. The total value of related party transactions increased to S$8.5 million in FY13, from S$6.8 million in FY12.

    The auditor also found that in the case of three tenders called, the Managing Agent failed to declare whether the specifications gave preference to any particular tenderer.

    There was also no documentation on whether the tender specifications were approved by the Tenders and Contracts Committee of the town council.

    AHPETC also breached the Town Council Financial Rules by failing to make transfers into the bank account of the sinking funds as required. Its transfers were up to 15 months late and errors were discovered in the computation only after the AGO audit.

    And it paid for town improvement expenses out of its sinking fund, which is not allowed under the Town Councils Act.

    The auditor also said it could not verify whether certain items in the accounts were accurate, such as the FY13 opening balance, and the completeness of the town council’s liabilities as at March 31 2014.

    All town councils must submit their audited financial statements, auditors’ reports and annual reports to the MND by August 31 each year. These are then tabled to Parliament and a copy of the audited financial statements and any report made by the town council’s auditor is also forwarded to the Auditor-General.

    The MND noted that AHPETC went from an annual operating surplus of S$1.1 million in FY11 to a deficit of S$1.53 million in FY12 and a deficit of S$2.01 million in FY13. The town council also previously understated the annual operating deficit in FY12 by half.

    “AHPETC’s financial position has consistently deteriorated between FY11 and FY13, even though the (town council) received full government grants from MND during these three years,” the MND said. “AHPETC’s latest financial statements and reports reinforce MND’s existing concern about the (town council’s) state of financial affairs.”

     

    Source: www.todayonline.com