By Leong Sze Hian I refer to the article “MND explains computing method for MA rate for town councils” (Channel NewsAsia, May 14) in  response to the Workers’ Party’s media release of 14 May – “AHPETC / WP’s RESPONSE TO COMPARISONS ON MANAGING AGENT RATES”. Did Ministry of National Development (MND) calculate using all residential and commercial units? It states that “The National Development Ministry said ...

By Leong Sze HianMinisterial statementMND Minister and PAP Chairman, Khaw Boon Wan delivered a 28 minute Ministerial Statement which basically reiterated what was said in the MND Town Council Review Report.The Minister then moved for the subject to be considered by Parliament, and the Speaker then asked MP Teo Ho Pin, Co-ordinating Chairman of the PAP Town Councils to speak.He spoke for 15 minutes. He basic ...

By Leong Sze Hian As Parliament shall be debating the AIM Review Report immediately following the Ministerial Statement on the same subject on Monday, 13 May – it may be good to re-visit some of the possible issues or questions: MPs are trustees? Under the Town Councils Act, MPs are trustees. Therefore, they are not permitted to do what they like with money or properties under their charge. Can’t do whateve ...

By Leong Sze Hian I refer to the article “WP adjournment motion on town councils inadmissible” (Singapolitics, May 9). Adjournment motion inadmissible? It states that “Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob has ruled that an adjournment motion on the town council review, filed by Workers’ Party chairman Sylvia Lim, is inadmissible in Parliament when it sits next Monday. The reason: The subject of the motion wi ...

By Leong Sze HianI refer to the articles “AIM deal given all clear: MND review” (Today, May 3) and “MND review: No misuse or loss of public funds in AIM deal with PAP town councils” (Straits Times, May 3).Some of the questions that many Singaporeans have been asking may arguably deserve more details or clarification.Some extracts from the Ministry of National Development (MND) TOWN COUNCIL REVIEW REPORT -Te ...

By Leong Sze Hian I refer to the article “Towards a broader meritocracy” (Straits Times, Apr 20) and “Cabinet: More left-of-centre now, helping the lower income” (Straits Times, Apr 19). Shift from centrist to the left? It states that “The Cabinet has shifted to the left in how it views social policy and helping the lower income, Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said.“If I compare our thinking i ...

By Leong Sze Hian Recap: In Part 2, we ended off with “three to nine per cent of households were in arrears of more than three months on their S & CC, may indicate that many Singaporeans may still be in financial difficulties”. Childcare centres’ rent increase as much as 400%? According to the article “High rent a heavy burden for childcare centres” (Straits Times, Apr 17). It states that “(He) is strug ...

By Leong Sze Hian I refer to the article “Pulau Ubin will remain in “rustic state” but residents will have to pay rent” (Straits Times, Apr 17). Have to pay $6 – $35 rent now? It states that “Kampung residents on Pulau Ubin who have to pay rent from now will pay an estimated $6 to $35 per month in the first year, with 90 per cent paying less than $20 a month. This rent, which is subsidised, will be increase ...

By Leong Sze Hian Recap: In Part 1, we ended off with “Comment: Fast forward to today – ComCare receives 70,000 applications for financial assistance in 1 year against less than 4,000 in 1999!” S & C C increases continue despite operating surpluses & $2b funds? “According to Jurong Town Council’s annual report for 2008/2009, it had a surplus for the year of $1.5 million, and an accumulated surplus o ...

By Leong Sze Hian I refer to the article “Initiative to aid HDB residents settle arrears” (My Paper, Apr 15). Someone asked me recently how to we define poverty in Singapore? How many poor people are there? Of course I don’t have the answers. Some people have talked about invariably, the statistics like per capita income, household income, number of people who apply for assistance from Comcare, etc. After t ...