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Aljunied GRC deserves candidates with legal, financial background: DPM Teo

SINGAPORE — The People’s Action Party is looking for candidates with financial and legal backgrounds, and more importantly, “with integrity and the interests of residents at heart”, to run in Aljunied GRC, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said today (Aug 2).

DPM Teo Chee Hean. TODAY file photo

DPM Teo Chee Hean. TODAY file photo

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SINGAPORE — The People’s Action Party is looking for candidates with financial and legal backgrounds, and more importantly, “with integrity and the interests of residents at heart”, to run in Aljunied GRC, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said today (Aug 2).

Speaking to the media after a community event tonight, Mr Teo said: “We want a team that can look after the town council and make sure its financials are in good order, payments are made and that there are no chronic deficits in the financials.”

He added: “This Government has always maintained a high standard of integrity. Anyone who wants to stand for office or hold office must maintain these standards. And Singaporeans should demand these standards. This is how we ensure the system remains clean.

The Group Representation Constituency was wrested from the ruling party during the 2011 General Election, when a Workers’ Party team led by Secretary-General Low Thia Khiang beat a PAP team that included Ministers George Yeo and Lim Hwee Hua with 54.72 per cent of the vote - the first time an Opposition party had won a GRC in a local election.

However, the task of managing the Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council has seen the WP flagged for major lapses in “governance and compliance” by the Auditor-General, with “poor internal controls” and inadequate oversight of related party transactions among the issues raised. The town council also filed its financial statements for FY2013 with the Ministry of National Development 10 months late.

The AHPETC case will be heard in court again on Monday (Aug 3), after the Housing and Development Board applied to be co-plaintiff in the MND’s case against AHPETC.

Today, Mr Teo said it was key that candidates the “basic aspect” of financial governance was addressed.

“We want to look for candidates who have some financial background so that they can scrutinise accounts properly, and people with legal training who understand what they need to do,” he said.

“Then again, you can have many lawyers, but you need to do what you are supposed to do (as MPs). Most important, we want people who have integrity and have the interest of residents at heart.” CHANNEL NEWSASIA

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