Punggol East was in deficit when WP took over, Low charges
Brandishing a copy of Punggol East’s accounts dated April 30, 2013 to the crowd at the WP’s rally yesterday, Mr Low Thia Kiang charged that Punggol East had a deficit, not a surplus, of more than S$280,000 at the point the WP took over. Photo: Raj Nadarajan
SINGAPORE — After being put on the defensive over the Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council’s (AHPETC) financial woes for several weeks now, Workers’ Party (WP) chief Low Thia Khiang yesterday went on the offensive and charged that Punggol East had a S$280,000 deficit when it merged with the WP-run Aljunied-Hougang Town Council in April 2013.
Presenting a copy of Punggol East’s audited accounts dated April 30, 2013 to the crowd at the WP’s rally yesterday, Mr Low launched a fiery rebuttal of claims made by Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Teo Chee Hean and the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) Punggol East candidate Charles Chong that Punggol East was running a surplus before it was handed over to the Opposition following a by-election that year.
“The report shows that, in reality, Punggol East was running more than S$280,000 in deficit at the point we took over. Get this right, this is not a surplus … I would now like the PAP to explain to Punggol East voters where that money has gone,” he charged in Mandarin. “The PAP candidates have twisted the truth to mislead the people … they are too much,” thundered Mr Low, his face flush.
Mr Chong, 62, who moved to contest Punggol East after winning the Joo Chiat Single Member Constituency in 2011, said two weeks ago that Punggol East residents were getting a raw deal because AHPETC was not in good financial shape. “Do the residents want to subsidise Aljunied and Hougang?” he asked.
DPM Teo, who helms the Pasir Ris-Punggol constituency, said during a press conference on Aug 14 that Punggol East had been “handed over (to WP) in good order, with surpluses”.
Mr Low began his rebuttal last night by referring to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s call to voters to consider candidates on their quality of character, integrity and commitment to serve.
Speaking at Punggol Field Walk, the WP chief asked: “Are these the type of candidates that the Prime Minister wants us to consider?”
He added: “As Singaporeans, you have the responsibility to ensure that the Singapore of the future is led by those of good character. Please consider this when you vote,” said Mr Low.
The AHPETC battle has occupied centre stage thus far in the hustings, with Law and Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam and National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan turning up the heat on the WP, and the Ministry of National Development providing a point-by-point “factsheet” to rebut WP chairman Sylvia Lim’s comments on the issue during her party’s first rally on Wednesday.
Yesterday, Mr Low also named Mr Teo, Mr Shanmugam and Minister of State (National Development) Desmond Lee as being among PAP members who have “maligned” the Hougang Town Council with inaccurate accusations.
Reiterating the claims of several WP leaders that the Hougang Town Council was running a surplus of more than S$80,000 when it took over Aljunied after the last election, Mr Low said: “Till now, the three ministers have not responded directly to what we have said.” KELLY NG
