# MND’s 4 June response to media queries on application to expedite appeal

- **Source:** Ministry of National Development
- **Published:** 2015-06-05T02:00:00.000Z
- **Author:** Ministry of National Development
- **Original:** https://www.mnd.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/view/mnd-s-4-june-response-to-media-queries-on-application-to-expedite-appeal
- **Topics:** Government & Policy

## Featured rationale

Faster independent oversight could protect funding for essential estate services and potentially reduce uncertainty for residents regarding the continued management of their housing estates.

## AI summary

MND sought expedited appeal hearings to appoint Independent Accountants before AHPETC’s managing-agent contract expired on 14 July 2015 and enable safeguarded grant disbursement.

## Original article

MND applied to expedite the hearings, because there is urgency for the matter to be resolved quickly.

First, AHPETC has breached and continues to be in breach of its duties and obligations. In the interest of residents and in the public interest, we need the Court to determine, as soon as possible, the steps that AHPETC ought to take to remedy its serious breaches. At stake are important public interest issues concerning public governance and accountability of a statutory body that collects moneys from residents and receives Government grants.

Second, AHPETC is in urgent need of fresh S&CC grants to deliver essential services to its residents and meet its legal obligations. MND wants to release the grants immediately, but can only do so with safeguards, which the High Court Judge found “reasonable”, and are necessary to ensure accountability. However, AHPETC has consistently resisted this, as it did previously when MND offered the TC half-grants in October 2014. This is presumably because it wants the grants, but without conditions and accountability. As the TC’s own Auditors and AGO has found the TC to be unable to safeguard public monies, a view that the Court has now endorsed, it would be irresponsible for MND to agree to this. The Judge observed that it “is probably right in that any conditions imposed by the Minister will be unacceptable to AHPETC and this will result in further court proceedings.”

Third, serious questions have been raised as to the validity and propriety of payments previously made by AHPETC to related parties or otherwise. Given the identified risks of loss of Town Council Moneys, and the importance of taking consequential inquiry and recovery action promptly, there is an urgent need for the Independent Accountants to be appointed with powers of inquiry and recovery. AHPETC’s Managing Agent (MA) contract with FMSS expires on 14 July 2015.

## Chinese translation

> Translation model: grok_cli

### 国家发展部6月4日就加快上诉申请的媒体询问所作回应

国家发展部申请加快审理，是因为此事迫切需要尽快解决。

首先，AHPETC已违反并持续违反其职责与义务。为了居民利益及公共利益，我们需要法院尽快裁定AHPETC应采取哪些步骤，以纠正其严重违约。事关重要的公共利益问题，涉及一个向居民收费并领取政府津贴的法定机构的公共管治与问责。

其次，AHPETC迫切需要新的服务与杂费（S&CC）津贴，以便向居民提供基本服务并履行其法定义务。国家发展部希望立即发放津贴，但只能在设有保障措施的前提下这样做；高等法院法官认定这些措施“合理”，且为确保问责所必需。然而，AHPETC一如既往地抗拒，正如国家发展部在2014年10月向该市镇理事会提出拨付半数津贴时一样。这大概是因为它既要津贴，又不想接受条件与问责。鉴于该市镇理事会本身的核数师及审计署（AGO）已认定其无法妥善保障公共款项——法院现已认同这一看法——国家发展部若同意此举将是不负责任的。法官指出，“部长施加的任何条件大概都会令AHPETC无法接受，并导致进一步的诉讼程序，这一判断很可能是正确的。”

第三，关于AHPETC过往向关联方或其他方面所作付款的有效性与正当性，已出现严重疑问。鉴于市镇理事会款项存在已识别的损失风险，以及及时采取相应调查与追讨行动的重要性，迫切需要委任具有调查与追讨权力的独立会计师。AHPETC与FMSS的管理代理（MA）合约将于2015年7月14日届满。