Establish ombudsman to keep an eye on town councils

There is prima facie evidence of poor governance and a lack of transparency and contingency planning on the part of the Workers’ Party. (“Public monies have been lost, minister charges”, “Town Councils Act to be amended to enforce tougher standards”; Feb 13)

Whether it was an inherited problem or created by other administrative difficulties, it is pointless to shift blame. Let us focus objectively on how we can collectively build a better mechanism now to mitigate the issues and assure constituents that such lapses are not widely present and are minimised over time, say, to below 5 per cent for conservancy fee arrears.

Regarding related-party transactions, stakeholders’ trust levels would be impacted adversely. This is a more crucial issue and would apply equally to every ministry, statutory board and town council.

It would thus be prudent that renewed processes and surveillance mechanisms be incorporated expeditiously and, at the same time, managed independently.

We should take this saga as a good lesson and establish an ombudsman for public scrutiny, with chapters in every housing estate, to be led and operated by non-partisan citizens. If it is run efficiently, such issues could be contained over time.