MND, HDB welcome appeal court’s ruling on AHTC case

SINGAPORE — The Ministry of National Development (MND) and the Housing and Development Board (HDB) have said that they welcome the ruling by the Court of Appeal over Aljunied-Hougang Town Council’s (AHTC) finances, which they said is in “the interest of residents and will improve accountability of public funds”.

The MND also added that it was ready to re-engage with AHTC, formerly known as the Aljunied-Hougang Punggol East Town Council, on disbursing the withheld Service & Conservancy Charges (S&CC) operating grants once the necessary safeguards are in place.

The joint statement issued by MND and HDB further added that they welcome AHTC’s statement that it accepts the judgement and will comply and “looked forward to the town council’s cooperation with HDB in the carrying out of the Court orders”.

AHTC was ordered today to make all outstanding sinking fund transfers within three months and take active steps to rectify breaches and contraventions of section 35(c) of the Town Councils Act.

The Court of Appeal also ordered AHTC to appoint independent accountants, subject to HDB’s consent, to produce monthly progress reports on the steps being taken by the town council to meet the Town Councils Act’s requirements.

A statement by AHTC Chairman Pritam Singh earlier today said that the town council will comply with all the orders of the court.