MND Press Statement on AHPETC

[Galantspeedz]

Must stir until important

 

first time i see nobody shouting out for transparency leh.....

[Playtime]

looks like the $5.3m fee is not important liao...

Of cos important.

But it's only the symptom of a broken system. Need to fix the cause.

 

The deliberate sabotage is the serious problem that needs fixing.

[Bystander50]

 

that is as "easy" as delisting SBS Transit and SMRT and turn them into a govt run operations.

 

 

That's a good idea.

Our gov claims to be world crass, so they should be able to turn around all the cock ups by committed by both transport operators to make it really a world crass transport system.

was there any petition in Singapore that succeeded?

 

nevertheless, I will sign one if there is.

 

Maybe if someone starts one to kicks opps MPs out of parleement, then maybe high chance.

[Mustank]

 

first time i see nobody shouting out for transparency leh.....

Worker party better come clean!!!!!!!!

 

Can someone go find the kbw ask wp come clean on ysl issue picture?

[Camrysfa]

The party needs to win respect that it can handle the job – not just TC issues but also national ones.

This vote of no confidence by the auditors – is a dent unless it can be soundly overturned.

If the accusations are not debunked, most likely they will be electrocuted?

[Super7]

knn

new pap fark up

wp also fark up

 

what hope for Singapore

Look at big picture. No party is faultless.

 

As the distribution of power to rule this island stands now, the mistakes, if any, made by the one who holds the bulk of the power, assets here and whose actions affect most lives on this island, will go a long way to adversely affect things. The mistakes, if any, made by the one who doesn't have such a strong hold will have comparatively less repercussions.

 

All parties must be subject to checks n balances, in particular the one whose actions have the stronger impacts.

[Count-Bracula]

knn

new pap fark up

wp also fark up

 

what hope for Singapore

Worry not my brudder, we got MCF.

[Baal]

Fy 2012, could the grey areas have arisen due to unforseen pulling of the plug by saboteurs? But at least they foresaw the rubbish collection...hence my rubbish didnt pile up 3 storeys high...

[Gitanic]

knn

new pap fark up

wp also fark up

 

what hope for Singapore

anyone who dare to take on PAP particularly LKY cannot assume it's easy business and overnight success achievable.

 

i would like to think it's lifetime endeavor.

 

LKY is no elect-saving bulb if you know.

 

even CST achieved little in his lifetime until retirement but it meant a lot.

 

i wld say it's their first time managing a GRC.

 

giv them 2-3 more terms then judge.

[Blackyv]

Ok, here's the reply from WP...

 

http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/workers-party-says-government-statement-its-town-council-finances-incomplete

[Baal]

Their explanation seem to affirm my suspicion...

[Super7]

Their explanation seem to affirm my suspicion...

Someone has just shot his own feet!!! The one who tried paint bad pictures of others painted himself!

Edited February 14, 2014 by Super7

[Sabian]

My mother say cannot anyhow say things. Will have karma one.

[Gizmore]

Ok, here's the reply from WP...

 

http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/workers-party-says-government-statement-its-town-council-finances-incomplete

 

I find their reply sincere.

 

They have admitted their short comings and welcome the notion of working with the relevant agencies to sort out the differences.

 

Given that this is WP's first time running GRC and am living in this same GRC, I can give them some slack and have no complain having seen how my estate is being managed.

[Lala81]

Ok. decent reply. Clears the air.

[Voodooman]

I thought it was a strong we-are-not-hiding-anything response and an open challenge to MND to audit, investigate and report any wrongdoings.

 

To the man on the street, that may be good enough but AHPETC seems to be always behind the curve and allowing themselves to be fixed again and again with all these adverse reporting by ST. They got to do better, 13 audit points is not good at all

[Camrysfa]

ok, nothing to hide. open to any investigation including CPIB.....

 

 

 

http://www.ahpetc.sg/media-release-14-feb-2014

Media Release – 14 Feb 2014

REQUEST FOR MND’S ASSISTANCE AND AUDIT OF AHPETC

We refer to the media statement by the Ministry of National Development (MND) released on the evening of 13 February 2014. Therein, MND highlighted various concerns regarding the auditor’s report on the financial statements of Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC) for Financial Year 2012.

 

As MND’s observations as stated are incomplete and will mislead the public, it is therefore necessary to put the MND’s statement in proper perspective.

 

The auditors have given us a qualified report. It is not an adverse report. They have also stated clearly that apart from their specific observations, our books, accounts and records have been kept in accordance with the Town Councils Act. The full audited report can be found at www.ahpetc.sg.

 

In its media statement, MND highlighted the auditors’ inability to verify certain figures. We do understand the auditors’ plight, as there were information gaps that existed at the handover after the General Election 2011 which to date are still not filled.

 

At FY 2011, the auditors had tried to request information from former auditors, unsuccessfully. Repeated attempts by the Town Council (TC) to obtain information from the former Managing Agent (MA) and government authorities, such as asking MND / the Housing and Development Board regarding $1.12 million which the PAP-run Aljunied TC had recorded as receivables from the Citizens Consultative Committees (CCCs) for Town Improvement Projects, did not yield answers.

 

Attempts in FY 2012 to get the information were also unsuccessful. Unless those agencies with the required information furnish them to the TC, it is likely that information gaps will remain and the accounts will continue to be qualified every year. In this regard, we note that MND could well be the best party to assist the TC to resolve some of the key information gaps.

 

 

We refer next to the transfer of monies to the TC Sinking Fund in FY 2012. We acknowledge that the TC’s practice of transferring monies to the Sinking Fund after deducting Sinking Fund expenses was an oversight, which has since been rectified. This oversight did not result in any loss of monies nor unauthorized spending. The auditors’ advice has been taken to ensure a physical transfer of monies from the Operating Fund of the TC to the Sinking Fund every quarter from now on.

 

 

Mass media reports have repeated past insinuations of impropriety in the TC awarding the MA contract to FM Solutions and Services Pte Ltd (FMSS). These must be debunked.

 

 

MND’s media statement highlighted the auditors’ observations that project management fees to a related party had not been separately disclosed in the accounts. It is standard practice for TCs which engage MAs, including PAP TCs, to include project management as part of the MA services awarded. As far as we know, TC financial statements do not specify separate reporting for project management fees paid, as these are reported as construction costs for the project or Sinking Fund expenditure. In any event, AHPETC submits quarterly returns to MND on any new contracts awarded to MAs.

 

We are thus puzzled by the auditors’ observation as to why this leads to a qualification of the accounts, but more puzzled by why MND sees this as an issue.

 

It is useful to set out, again, the circumstances leading to the appointment of FMSS as MA for AHTC. Post General Election in May 2011, there was an urgent need to put in place a new MA for Aljunied GRC, as the incumbent MA had indicated its wish to be released from the MA contract. At the same time, the Town Council Management System (TCMS) had been sold to Action Information Management Pte Ltd (AIM), a company wholly-owned by the People’s Action Party, and could be terminated anytime with one month’s notice.

 

The TC determined that there was no time to call a tender under these circumstances, and the most prudent course of action was to plan for a tender in a year’s time after the proper completion of handing over was better assured. The TC then decided to appoint FMSS, which comprised key staff from the former Hougang TC, to manage the newly gazetted Aljunied-Hougang Town.

 

FMSS was appointed without tender for only ONE year, a transitional period, principally to oversee key tasks of the handover, using the same rates as the former MA appointed by the PAP for Aljunied TC. An open tender was then called in 2012 for a customary 3-year contract.

 

Although three companies picked up the tender documents, only FMSS submitted a tender. The tender was rigorously evaluated and subject to a special audit.

 

Accordingly, any allegation of impropriety is utterly rejected. Nevertheless, as indicated previously, any authority or anyone believing there was wrongdoing should report the matter to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau with whom the TC will fully co-operate.

 

At this point, we continue to fine-tune the town management accounting systems as we operate live on a daily basis. As MND has expressed its concerns over our accounts, we seek its assistance in resolving the issues raised by our auditor, by helping us verify and confirm the various opening figures handed over from the former Aljunied TC. We also welcome any audit by MND which it deems necessary.

 

 

SYLVIA LIM
CHAIRMAN
ALJUNIED-HOUGANG-PUNGGOL EAST TOWN COUNCIL

14 February 2014

[Lurpsexx]

ok, nothing to hide. open to any investigation including CPIB.....

 

 

 

http://www.ahpetc.sg/media-release-14-feb-2014

Media Release – 14 Feb 2014

REQUEST FOR MND’S ASSISTANCE AND AUDIT OF AHPETC

We refer to the media statement by the Ministry of National Development (MND) released on the evening of 13 February 2014. Therein, MND highlighted various concerns regarding the auditor’s report on the financial statements of Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC) for Financial Year 2012.

 

As MND’s observations as stated are incomplete and will mislead the public, it is therefore necessary to put the MND’s statement in proper perspective.

 

The auditors have given us a qualified report. It is not an adverse report. They have also stated clearly that apart from their specific observations, our books, accounts and records have been kept in accordance with the Town Councils Act. The full audited report can be found at www.ahpetc.sg.

 

In its media statement, MND highlighted the auditors’ inability to verify certain figures. We do understand the auditors’ plight, as there were information gaps that existed at the handover after the General Election 2011 which to date are still not filled.

 

At FY 2011, the auditors had tried to request information from former auditors, unsuccessfully. Repeated attempts by the Town Council (TC) to obtain information from the former Managing Agent (MA) and government authorities, such as asking MND / the Housing and Development Board regarding $1.12 million which the PAP-run Aljunied TC had recorded as receivables from the Citizens Consultative Committees (CCCs) for Town Improvement Projects, did not yield answers.

 

Attempts in FY 2012 to get the information were also unsuccessful. Unless those agencies with the required information furnish them to the TC, it is likely that information gaps will remain and the accounts will continue to be qualified every year. In this regard, we note that MND could well be the best party to assist the TC to resolve some of the key information gaps.

 

 

We refer next to the transfer of monies to the TC Sinking Fund in FY 2012. We acknowledge that the TC’s practice of transferring monies to the Sinking Fund after deducting Sinking Fund expenses was an oversight, which has since been rectified. This oversight did not result in any loss of monies nor unauthorized spending. The auditors’ advice has been taken to ensure a physical transfer of monies from the Operating Fund of the TC to the Sinking Fund every quarter from now on.

 

 

Mass media reports have repeated past insinuations of impropriety in the TC awarding the MA contract to FM Solutions and Services Pte Ltd (FMSS). These must be debunked.

 

 

MND’s media statement highlighted the auditors’ observations that project management fees to a related party had not been separately disclosed in the accounts. It is standard practice for TCs which engage MAs, including PAP TCs, to include project management as part of the MA services awarded. As far as we know, TC financial statements do not specify separate reporting for project management fees paid, as these are reported as construction costs for the project or Sinking Fund expenditure. In any event, AHPETC submits quarterly returns to MND on any new contracts awarded to MAs.

 

We are thus puzzled by the auditors’ observation as to why this leads to a qualification of the accounts, but more puzzled by why MND sees this as an issue.

 

It is useful to set out, again, the circumstances leading to the appointment of FMSS as MA for AHTC. Post General Election in May 2011, there was an urgent need to put in place a new MA for Aljunied GRC, as the incumbent MA had indicated its wish to be released from the MA contract. At the same time, the Town Council Management System (TCMS) had been sold to Action Information Management Pte Ltd (AIM), a company wholly-owned by the People’s Action Party, and could be terminated anytime with one month’s notice.

 

The TC determined that there was no time to call a tender under these circumstances, and the most prudent course of action was to plan for a tender in a year’s time after the proper completion of handing over was better assured. The TC then decided to appoint FMSS, which comprised key staff from the former Hougang TC, to manage the newly gazetted Aljunied-Hougang Town.

 

FMSS was appointed without tender for only ONE year, a transitional period, principally to oversee key tasks of the handover, using the same rates as the former MA appointed by the PAP for Aljunied TC. An open tender was then called in 2012 for a customary 3-year contract.

 

Although three companies picked up the tender documents, only FMSS submitted a tender. The tender was rigorously evaluated and subject to a special audit.

 

Accordingly, any allegation of impropriety is utterly rejected. Nevertheless, as indicated previously, any authority or anyone believing there was wrongdoing should report the matter to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau with whom the TC will fully co-operate.

 

At this point, we continue to fine-tune the town management accounting systems as we operate live on a daily basis. As MND has expressed its concerns over our accounts, we seek its assistance in resolving the issues raised by our auditor, by helping us verify and confirm the various opening figures handed over from the former Aljunied TC. We also welcome any audit by MND which it deems necessary.

 

 

SYLVIA LIM

CHAIRMAN

ALJUNIED-HOUGANG-PUNGGOL EAST TOWN COUNCIL

14 February 2014

 

Sylvia's explanations above are clear and concise, and reaffirms my belief that the controlled mass media and govt bodies all cherry pick half truths to broadcast that puts the PAPzis in advantage, but hide the other half of info that makes them look bad. The previous Aljunied GRC group under PAP played hard ball & stalled when they lost to WP, this is now surfacing thanks to MND.

 

Talk abt blow back! This will be another egg in PAPzi face, and will further reinforce the enlightened voter to look for credible alternative leadership... I will vote for WP.