Sunday 15 February 2015

Low Thia Khiang cements Wayang Party tag for Workers' Party with AHPETC saga

Education Minister Heng Swee Keat joined the debate in Parliament (13 Feb 2015) on the Auditor-General's report on the audit of Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC)

He proceeded to list the signature act of the Workers' Party.




First quote: "The WP has over 20 years of experience in managing town councils well and not just small town councils but a huge GRC town council in Aljunied. We know the ins and outs of running a constituency. Even when obstacles were thrown in our path to trip us up, we still have managed to ensure residents' needs are well taken care of." This was by Mr Gerald Giam when he spoke to residents at a rally on Jan 23, 2013.


Second quote. "If WP wins Punggol East, I am confident that we will manage the town council competently. WP has had more than 20 years of experience managing Hougang SMC. After GE 2011, we quickly adapted to take charge of Aljunied GRC under a very short timeframe. We will take over the town council functions with as little disruption as possible to the residents. I have the experience and know-how in running a town council." This was by Ms Lee Li Lian at the rally to residents on Jan 22, 2013.


So we have heard that you can take charge of a TC, and big ones too, under a very short timeframe. So all the explanations that all the WP members have given us so far, which is the correct version?

That you have plenty of problems, plenty of challenges or that you can take charge within a short timeframe, overcome any obstacles and that you are experienced and you have the know-how.


Third quote: "WP MPs are committed to being politically accountable to voters for town management under the current regime. Whatever else is done in other countries, the responsibility for town management has been legislated to the MPs under the Town Councils Act. We accept this responsibility and have pledged during elections to manage towns entrusted to us to the best of our ability. We intend to continue keeping this promise." This is by Ms Sylvia Lim in a parliamentary session on May 13, 2013.


I was most astounded to hear what Mr Low Thia Khiang said yesterday in this House, that we should depoliticise the transitioning process. Mr Low, you're the secretary-general of the WP and have just said the exact opposite of what Ms Sylvia Lim, chairman of the WP, said in this House in 2013.


Did you just change your mind when things went wrong in AHPETC or you never believed in what you were doing? Or were Mr Gerald Giam, Ms Lee Li Lian and Ms Sylvia Lim misleading residents?

Do you have any conviction or do you just say whatever is expedient for the moment, even if it means misleading Singaporeans?











WP must now walk the talk, take action

AHPETC paid Managing Agent estimated S$1.6m a year more than other TCs: MND

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