Trial dates for case between WP-run town council, NEA tentatively set for June

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

The Workers’ Party-run town council is contesting an allegation that it held an unlicensed Chinese New Year fair at Hougang Central Hub between Jan 9 and Jan 14.

The NEA had in January applied for a court summons to be issued against the town council, accusing it of failing to obtain a permit from the Director-General of Public Health before organising the fair.

The NEA said town councils were 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.

The tentative dates for the trial are set for June 2 to June 5, with June 6 scheduled as a reserve date. A pre-trial conference has been fixed on May 14 to resolve ancillary matters.

The NEA had previously said four stallholders were also served notices to attend court for hawking without a licence. CLAIRE HUANG