By Leong Sze Hian
I refer to MP Teo Ho Pin, Co-ordinating Chairman of PAP Town Councils’ statement (16 May) on his facebook page.
AHTC 50% higher than Tampines?
It states that “My response to the WP’s statement on Town Council Management as follows:-
The facts are clear. Based on their own calculations, their MA unit rate for 2012 was $ 7.58, 50% higher than the MA rate ($4.99) of Tampines TC which is of similar size.
Why only compare with Tampines?
Since so many people have been asking the obvious question – Why is it that only Tampines TC’s rate is given to compare with AHTC? Why not disclose all the town councils’ rates?
Deafening silence on other town councils’ rates?
These “obvious” questions have so far been met by “silence” from both Mr Teo Ho Pin and the MND.
Doing the obvious?
So, if you are faced with this “problem” (not that its my problem as an ordinary citizen) – What would you do?
What about HBTTC?
Well, the first thought that came to my mind was to go look at Mr Teo Ho Pin’s own town council’s (Holland Bukit Timah (HBTTC)) web site and try to see if I can find any information on its Managing Agent’s (MA) rate.
HBTTC’s rate 34% higher than Tampines in 2012?
According to HBTTC’s annual report for 2012 for the period ended 31 March 2012, the Managing Agent’s Fees was $3,307,510.
Dividing this by the total number of units of 41,074 (40,270 residential and 804 commercial) and 12 months gives a MA per unit rate of $6.71.
If this is correct – then perhaps Mr Teo Ho Pin may like to also ask himself why his own town council’s rate is about 34 per cent higher than Tampines’ $4.99 in 2012?
HBTTC’s rate 46% higher than Tampines in 2011?
According to HBTTC’s annual report for 2011 for the period ended 31 March 2011, the Managing Agent’s Fees was $3,708,874.
Dividing this by the total number of units of 41,069 (40,270 residential and 799 commercial) and 12 months gives a MA per unit rate of $7.53.
If this is correct – then perhaps Mr Teo Ho Pin may like to also ask himself why his own town council’s rate was 46 per cent higher than Tampines’ $5.15 in 2011 (same issue as AHTC)?By the way, did any of the other town councils have a decrease in their MA rate from 2011 to 2012, like Tampines and Holland-Bukit Timah?Finally, since their MA rate dropped, why did Tampines and Holland-Bukit Timah increase their S & CC last year, whereas Aljunied-Hougang decreased theirs ?
