RESPONSE TO VERDICT IN NEA v AHPETC TRIAL
We are disappointed with the verdict but we will consult our lawyers on our legal options and do not rule anything out.
PRITAM SINGH & PNG ENG HUAT
VICE-CHAIRMEN
ALJUNIED-HOUGANG-PUNGGOL EAST TOWN COUNCIL
Background story:
The courts have ruled that the Workers’ Party Town Council had indeed held a fair without a permit during the Chinese New Year period this year.
The court found that the Aljunied, Hougang, Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC) had contravened section 35 of the Environmental Public Health Act.
During the court hearing, AHPETC had pointed out that their fair was actually just a mini-fair which did not need a permit from NEA as it did not fall under the fairs described in section 35.
They also raised concerns about the point that they had been asked to get a letter of support from the PAP grassroots-run Citizens Consultative Committee (CCC) in order to hold a mini-fair for the residents in their own ward.
The courts have agreed with NEA that the mini-fair was indeed a fair which required a permit under section 35 and found AHPETC guilty of not applying for a permit and holding the fair anyway.
Do you think it’s appropriate that the opposition party voted in by the people still need to get approval from the PAP to run a community fair in their own ward?