Sylvia Lim
The author is the Chairman of the Workers’ Party. This press release seeks to enlighten the public about what transpired in the weeks after the May General Election, which has led to the current controversy about use of public spaces by residents of Aljunied GRC to organise events.
Background Facts
On 21 June 2011, the interim Secretary of Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC) received an email from the Housing and Development Board (HDB) entitled: “Sites Excluded from the Management of Aljunied-Hougang Town Council”. The email attached a list of sites to be excluded from AHTC management, including 26 sites commonly used for community activities which had previously been managed by the former Aljunied Town Council. No background nor rationale was given for the decision.
Upon further and repeated enquiries from AHTC, HDB revealed on 13 July 2011 that these sites had been leased to the People’s Association (PA), in 2 tranches – on 27 May 2011 and 13 June 2011. The AHTC had thus been informed retrospectively of this decision, which to our knowledge has not been published anywhere.
A check on the sites, which were part of the common property managed by the former Aljunied Town Council but now leased to PA, showed that many of them are strategically located, being hard courts or amphitheatres highly suitable for organising social activities.
We were puzzled about the intention behind the move, which occurred before the new management took over the estate. We are left to conclude that the decision by the HDB to shift management of these common properties from the Town Council to the PA was precipitated by the victory of the Workers’ Party in Aljunied GRC in the General Elections.
In order not to subject residents to unnecessary inconvenience and confusion, I sought a meeting with the HDB for clarification, and on 13 July 2011 conveyed to the HDB AHTC’s willingness to discuss the matter further with the PA, to explore joint use of the excluded sites. HDB then followed up with the PA. In an email to me dated 15 Aug 2011, the PA indicated that “booking by WP will not be allowed”, which we assume includes bookings for activities organised by WP MPs for residents.
Effect of HDB’s Decision as Landowner
During the weeks in July / early August leading to the lunar Seventh Month festivities, residents of Paya Lebar Division gave feedback that they were informed by the PA grassroots organisations to apply for the use of the said sites to the Paya Lebar Citizens Consultative Committee (CCC) instead of to the Town Council as was the previous practice.
We also received feedback that those who had applied to the CCC for the permits were told verbally that they could not invite the elected WP MP or they would risk their applications being turned down in subsequent years.
Residents have told us that they are confused by the new requirements of the CCC and annoyed by the intense politicking by the PA grassroots organizations. They felt torn and in an emotional dilemma.
Political Implications
It appears to us that the unilateral decision by the HDB to lease these sites to the PA and to have them excluded from common property under the management of AHTC without any consultation with the AHTC or its elected members is politically motivated and an abuse of power.
First, the HDB as part of the government machinery is abusing its power as land owner of common property in HDB estates to help PA to achieve the political objectives of:
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preventing elected MPs from holding activities at the excluded sites which are strategically located and convenient to residents; and
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curtailing the ground presence of the elected MPs, by warning the residents that their applications for events at those sites may not be approved in subsequent years if WP MPs were invited.
Secondly, the PA, a statutory board funded by tax payers’ money and chaired by the Prime Minister, appears to capitalize on its close connection with the government to serve the political interests of the ruling party. The PA is leveraging on HDB to enable PAP candidates who lost at the last elections to re-emerge at community events as “advisors” to PA grassroots organizations. The move to let PA control the sites previously managed by the Town Council would give PAP candidates a ground advantage and permanent presence, in advance preparation for the next elections.
Conclusion
The PM has just called for political harmony and national solidarity in Singapore, and said that “we must have a harmonious political system where we make important decisions in the best interests of Singapore and Singaporeans.” Regrettably, there appears to be a dissonance between the language of national unity employed by the Prime Minister and the actions of the HDB and PA in Aljunied GRC.
To PA,
Please explain why do you need to lease these sites full time and how much are you paying for the lease. Please justify as you are using our money. If there is no satisfactory reply, I think the top management of PA need to be sack for mismanagement.
Source: http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20110823-295750.html
HDB & PA respond to open spaces issue in Aljunied
The Housing Board (HDB) and People’s Association (PA) have issued official responses to the ongoing dispute over the use of community sites in Aljunied GRC.
Below are their responses:
HDB response:
Ms Sylvia Lim accused the HDB of helping the People’s Association (PA) to prevent elected MPs from holding activities at those sites and to curtail the ground presence of the MPs.
A Housing and Development Board (HDB) spokesman said: “From time to time, HDB adjusts its list of sites managed by a Town Council, based on legitimate requests from relevant agencies or civic organisations.
“In this case, People Association (PA) has requested tenancy for the sites for the purpose of organising community activities.”
“Anyone who wishes to use the site can apply to PA.”
“HDB had granted PA’s application for tenancy of these sites, which PA had been using frequently to conduct community activities.”
“Aside from community sites on tenancy to PA, other properties within a Town, such as land leased by HDB for use as temples, churches and community centres are also excluded from the TC’s management.”
PA’s response:
In her statement, Ms Sylvia Lim charged that People’s Association “appears to capitalise on its close connection with the government to serve the political interests of the ruling party”.
She added: “The move to let PA control the sites previously managed by the Town Council would give PAP candidates a ground advantage and permanent presence, in advance preparation for the next elections.”
Responding, a PA spokesman said: “The grassroots organisations (GROs) organise many community activities for residents.
“Many are held at community clubs (CCs) and residents’ committee (RC) premises.”
“However, other events require outdoor spaces or bigger premises so that more residents can participate in the activities.”
“As community activities are held quite regularly, some Citizens’ Consultative Committees (CCCs) lease space from the relevant authorities to do so.”
“The practice of leasing public spaces for community activities is not new, nor is it peculiar to Aljunied GRC.”
“From time to time, the CCCs may rent various sites across Singapore from the relevant authorities for community activities.”
“In Aljunied GRC, the CCC has leased 26 sites for community events.”
“These sites are mainly open fields and hard courts.”
“The PA and its GROs are non-partisan and do not allow any political party or MP to hold activities on PA premises or other facilities managed by the PA.”
“This applies to all political parties and MPs, including the PAP.”
Is PA also leasing all the sites outside AHTC?
The Workers’ Party knows about the changes, on 13th July and now is August 2011. Why dont they highlight the problems then and instead of now.
Basically, the Workers’ Party dare not to stand alone, they are just the same as the PAP – using the people to voice their displeasure – and quietly working together with the PAP.
Hi oute,
Clearly, it is more strategic to raise the issue publicly in the heats of the Presidential Election after the People’s Association begun to deny WP MPs from attending 7th Month Dinners. If you don’t choose the right time to do so, the PAP government will use its machinery to sweep this incident under the rug. There is no need to act innocent or naive here. The WP is dealing with none other than the Devil.
Let’s be sure. Singapore belongs to SINGAPOREANS.
NOT pap. First and foremost, let’s get that STRAIGHT.
HDB has granted TOL to PA to construct a football field at the implicated vacant land. Every weekend groups of people are decending at the site to play football. Before and after the game they would congregate at void deck of Blk 129. Meaning our void deck has become their meeting and resting point. This arrangement has caused tremedous nuisance and we the residents are not happy with the current situation and your continued ” mum” on the matter.
On some days there are as many as 5 -6 groups occupying the void deck at various times. Once there, they would shout at each other and at times using vulgar language. They treat the void deck as a warming up place . Kicking the balls and making lots of noise in the process. At times lose balls landed on our parked car and there was an incident when resident car no plate had been damaged in the process.. They reqularly ( especialoly student from nearby schools) would be horsing around chasing each, screaming and cursing at each other. Thanks God its the period of Ramadan and we are temporary spared the ordeal.
When it rains they would knock boots on the pavement and leave the mud for our clensing workman to collect. When they are there our children and garnd children have to give way to them. Most time the whole day especially on Sunday. This cannot go on indefinately . We have called the Police at NPP many times, but other then telling them to keep quite there is not much the Police can do.
The weekend is for us to rest. But it turn out to be a nightmare every weekend. HDB being the custodian of the vacant land, and PA the holder of the TOL , the onus is for both of you to take ownership ensure that user of the field must not create nuisance at the aforesaid place.
They also should not poarch our cleansing worker to carry out cleansing work such as sweeping up litter and collecting them for disposal. They should also not use our toilet as the water they used are paid by us.
They also must work with NEA to take enforcement action against them for littering offences during weekend. HDB car park officers must also make frequent checks and book them for parking illegallly especially during Saturday
For long term solution to the problem please carry out thye following works:
1) Fence up the football field.
2) Plant a row or trees to buffer the noise
3) Enage your own cleansing worker to carry out claensing and maintenance work
4) Put up sign that our vopid deck is Out of bound
5) Contruct your own roof over shelter and toilets facilities