# Joint MND-HDB Statement on Court of Appeal Judgment of 27 Nov 2015

- **Source:** Ministry of National Development
- **Published:** 2015-11-27T12:30:00.000Z
- **Author:** Ministry of National Development
- **Original:** https://www.mnd.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/view/joint-mnd-hdb-statement-on-court-of-appeal-judgment-of-27-nov-2015
- **Topics:** HDB & Public Housing, Investment & Capital Markets

## Featured rationale

Stronger financial oversight may safeguard funds for estate maintenance and enable S&CC grants to resume once appropriate controls and cooperation are established.

## AI summary

The Court of Appeal ordered AHPETC to complete outstanding sinking-fund transfers within three months and appoint independent accountants to investigate non-compliance and improper payments.

## Original article

MND and HDB welcome the ruling by the Court of Appeal (see Annex A), which is in the interest of residents and will improve accountability of public funds. 

By way of background, MND and HDB jointly applied for the appointment of independent accountants to Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC) in the interest of public governance and accountability, and in the interest of residents of AHPETC. As the High Court had earlier held that HDB, and not MND, is the proper party to seek a court order to compel AHPETC to comply with its obligations under the Town Councils Act, HDB filed an application to be joined as a party to the proceedings. 

We note that the Court of Appeal has allowed HDB’s application to be joined as a party to the proceedings and made various orders against AHPETC to compel its compliance with the Town Councils Act and Town Councils Financial Rules. These included an order that AHPETC make all outstanding sinking fund transfer(s) within three months, and an order that AHPETC must appoint independent accountants to assist in identifying its outstanding non-compliances with section 35(c) of the Town Councils Act, advise it on appropriate remedial steps to be taken, and establish whether any past payments made by AHPETC were improper and ought therefore to be recovered. 

We welcome the statement by the Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC) that it fully accepts the judgement by the Court of Appeal and will comply with all the orders made by the Court. 

Service & Conservancy Charges (S&CC) Operating Grants 

With regard to the Service & Conservancy Charges (S&CC) operating grants, MND respects the Court of Appeal’s view that this is a matter for the Minister for National Development to specify the conditions on which he will make the grants and for the Town Council to decide if it will accept the grants. 

As reiterated in our correspondences with the Town Council, MND has been and remains prepared to disburse the S&CC grants to the Town Council, subject to appropriate safeguards to ensure that the grants are properly managed and spent in the interest of residents. MND will disburse the S&CC grants once the appropriate safeguards are in place. This will include the Town Council’s accountants having been appointed to ensure that the funds are properly used and receiving the Town Council’s cooperation. 

MND stands ready to re-engage AHTC on the above so that the grants can be disbursed soon, with the necessary safeguards in place. We also look forward to the Town Council’s cooperation with HDB in the carrying out of the Court orders.

## Chinese translation

> Translation model: grok_cli

### 国家发展部与建屋发展局就2015年11月27日上诉庭判决发表联合声明

国家发展部（MND）与建屋发展局（HDB）欢迎上诉庭的裁决（见附件A），该裁决符合居民利益，并将提升公款问责。

背景方面，MND与HDB基于公共治理与问责利益，以及阿裕尼—后港—榜鹅东市镇理事会（AHPETC）居民的利益，联合申请为AHPETC委任独立会计师。由于高等法庭较早前裁定，HDB而非MND才是申请法院命令以迫使AHPETC履行其在《市镇理事会法令》下义务的适当当事人，HDB提出申请加入诉讼成为一方当事人。

我们注意到，上诉庭已准许HDB加入诉讼成为一方当事人，并对AHPETC作出多项命令，以迫使其遵守《市镇理事会法令》及《市镇理事会财务规则》。这些命令包括：AHPETC须在三个月内完成所有未完成的偿债基金转拨；以及AHPETC必须委任独立会计师，以协助识别其尚未履行的《市镇理事会法令》第35(c)条不合规事项，就应采取的适当补救步骤向其提供意见，并确定AHPETC所作的任何过往付款是否不当、因而应予追回。

我们欢迎阿裕尼—后港市镇理事会（AHTC）表示完全接受上诉庭判决，并将遵守法院所作的一切命令。

服务与保养费（S&CC）运营津贴

关于服务与保养费（S&CC）运营津贴，MND尊重上诉庭的意见，即此事项应由国家发展部部长订明其发放津贴的条件，并由市镇理事会决定是否接受津贴。

正如我们在与该市镇理事会的往来函件中一再重申，MND一直并仍然准备向该市镇理事会发放S&CC津贴，惟须有适当保障措施，确保津贴获妥善管理并用于居民利益。一旦适当保障措施到位，MND将发放S&CC津贴。这包括市镇理事会的会计师已获委任，以确保资金获妥善使用，并获得市镇理事会的合作。

MND随时准备就上述事项与AHTC重新接触，以便在必要保障措施到位的情况下尽快发放津贴。我们亦期待市镇理事会与HDB合作，落实法院命令。