Trial for case between AHPETC and NEA tentatively set for June

SINGAPORE — The tentative trial dates of the case between Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council and the National Environment Agency (NEA) have been fixed for four days in June this year.

The tentative dates are from June 2 to June 5, with June 6 scheduled as a reserve date.

Another pre-trial conference has been fixed on May 14 to sort out other matters.

The town council is contesting an allegation that it held an unlicensed Chinese New Year fair at the Hougang Central Hub between January 9 and 14.

The NEA had applied for a court summons to be issued in January, and the charge states that the Workers’ Party-managed town council had failed to obtain a permit from the Director-General of Public Health before organising the fair.

NEA has said that four stall holders have also been served with notices to attend court for hawking without a licence.

It said that town councils are not allowed to engage in commercial activities, including the organisation and operation of fairs, as these are not related to their statutory function of management and maintenance of common property.

The maximum penalty for contravening Section 35 of the Environmental Health Act is a fine of S$1,000. CHANNEL NEWSASIA