Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

AHTC seeks non-disclosure clause for document handover to PRPTC

SINGAPORE — The Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC) on Monday (Oct 24) sought the Court of Appeal to direct the Pasir Ris-Punggol Town Council (PRPTC) to undertake a non-disclosure agreement in handling documents relating to Punggol East that are expected to be handed over to PRPTC — a move lawyers acting for the latter objected to, calling it a “dangerous restraint” that may lead to further disputes.

SINGAPORE — The Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC) on Monday (Oct 24) sought the Court of Appeal to direct the Pasir Ris-Punggol Town Council (PRPTC) to undertake a non-disclosure agreement in handling documents relating to Punggol East that are expected to be handed over to PRPTC — a move lawyers acting for the latter objected to, calling it a “dangerous restraint” that may lead to further disputes.

A two-and-a-half hour hearing was held on Monday after PRPTC sought an “urgent appointment” with the apex court two weeks ago, to press the Workers’ Party-run AHTC and the latter’s accountant KPMG to provide the documents. No decision was reached, with the court saying it would decide on how the matter should be handled “sometime this week”.

The court had on Aug 18 directed AHTC to hand over “Category 1” documents relating to the single-seat constituency.

AHTC was also to hand over “Category 2” documents—relating to Punggol East and all other divisions managed by the former Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council—except where it has “specific concerns on the confidentiality of specific parts...in which event the conditions on which access should be given to PRPTC would have to be worked out”, the court had said.

Explaining the delay in the handover, AHTC vice-chairman Sylvia Lim repeatedly cited confidentiality concerns that “need to be worked out”. Information relating to the town council’s vendors, contracting rates, and staff must not fall into the hands of a third party, she said.

PRPTC’s lawyers, led by Senior Counsel Davinder Singh, argued that AHTC is seeking to impose a “blanket condition regardless of whether there are concerns with the documents”.

“This type of condition should not be imposed if the entire purpose of the exercise is to help (PRPTC) discharge (its) duties and do its residents right,” he said.

Ms Lim also told the court that it was physically challenging for AHTC staff to sieve through files and extract documents pertaining only to Punggol East, to which Mr Singh, addressing the court, said: “It was their convenience that had trumped your directions.”

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.