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SINGAPORE: The Workers' Party (WP) has accused the HDB of abusing its power as land owner by transferring the management rights of 26 common areas from the Aljunied-Hougang Town Council to the People's Association.
It also said that the PA has curtailed the ground presence of the elected WP MPs by warning residents who apply for permits to hold events at these sites not to invite the elected WP MPs or risk having their applications turned down in subsequent years.
The WP took over the town council from the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), following their win at the General Election in May.
In a statement to the media, WP chairman Sylvia Lim said the town council received an email from HDB on June 21, informing them of a list of sites to be excluded from their management.
This included 26 sites which had previously been managed by the former Aljunied Town Council under the PAP, said Ms Lim.
She noted that "no background nor rationale was given for the decision".
Ms Lim said many of the sites are strategically located, being hard courts or amphitheatres which are highly suitable for organising social activities.
She said the Aljunied-Hougang Town Council also wanted to explore the joint use of the sites with the PA. However, an email from PA dated June 15 indicated that "booking (of the sites) by WP will not be allowed", said Ms Lim.
Ms Lim also said residents of Paya Lebar who applied for permits to hold the lunar Seventh Month events at the sites were told verbally that they could not invite the elected WP MPs or risk their applications being turned down in future.
However, the former PAP MPs are not under such restraints as they are invited as "advisors" to the grassroots organisations. Ms Lim said such actions would give PAP candidates a ground advantage and permanent presence in advance preparation for the next elections.
Responding to media queries, the HDB said it adjusts its list of sites managed by a town council from time to time and this is based on legitimate requests from relevant agencies or civic organisations.
HDB said in this case, PA requested tenancy for the sites to organise community activities. The request was approved as PA had been using the sites frequently, added HDB.
Also responding was the PA which said the practice of leasing public spaces for community activities is not new, nor is it peculiar to Aljunied GRC. It added that the Citizens' Consultative Committees under the PA may rent various sites across Singapore for community activities.
The PA reiterated that it is non-partisan and does not allow any political party or MP to hold activities on PA premises or other facilities managed by the PA. And this applies to all political parties and MPs, including the PAP.
-CNA/ac
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