Town councils’ report: Who is the real winner?

December 1, 2015

AHPETC gets red again

I refer to the article “AHPETC continues to be banded red in FY2014 Town Council Management Report” (Straits Times, Dec 1).

It states that “Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC) continues to be banded red in two areas in the Ministry of National Development’s FY2014 Town Council Management Report released on Tuesday (Dec 1).

It is the fourth time AHPETC has been banded red for service and conservancy charges (S&CC) arrears management and the third time for corporate governance.”

Does getting red for S & C C arrears management mean that the town council may be more compassionate to resident households that have difficulty paying?

Estate is running well, in spite of. .. ?

Despite all the obstacles and everything that has been thrown at my town council (I live in Aljunied) – such as

… withholding $14 million of S & C C grants

… requiring 100 per cent of the accumulated surplus to be transferred to the sinking fund, as the winning MPs are from a different political party

… taking away and selling the town council software to AIM

… among other things

– my estate still runs smoothly like clockwork as before, if not better than the previous town council.

David vs Goliath? 

In this undemocratic, unfair and unjust continuing “David versus Goliath” battle – it is arguably my town council that may be winning in the hearts and minds of many Singaporeans.

Aren’t we ashamed to be in a sense – making life difficult for Singaporeans who live in opposition wards?

Reciprocate trust?

Since the people have given their trust and mandate – shouldn’t we reciprocate by putting a stop to such undemocratic, unfair and unjust practices and policies?

Leong Sze Hian

 

SHARE TWEET PIN SHARE

About the Author

Leong
Leong Sze Hian has served as the president of 4 professional bodies, honorary consul of 2 countries, an alumnus of Harvard University, authored 4 books, quoted over 1500 times in the media , has been a radio talkshow host, a newspaper daily columnist, Wharton Fellow, SEACeM Fellow, columnist for theonlinecitizen and Malaysiakini, executive producer of Ilo Ilo (40 international awards), Hotel Mumbai (associate producer), invited to speak more than 200 times in about 40 countries, CIFA advisory board member, founding advisor to the Financial Planning Associations of 2 countries. He has 3 Masters, 2 Bachelors degrees and 13 professional  qualifications.