Business as usual despite scrutiny of AHPETC: Sylvia Lim
The Workers' Party's Sylvia Lim at a rally on Sept 8, 2015. Photo: Jason Quah/TODAY
SINGAPORE — The past four years in the “hot seat” as head of the sole Opposition-run town council has not been easy on her, said Ms Sylvia Lim, but residents would not have been able to tell, based on how the estate has been maintained.
“There have been times when the going was very tough. My family asked me whether it was all worth it,” said Ms Lim during the Workers’ Party rally in its Aljunied Group Representation Constituency yesterday.
“But we have fought back and overcome many challenges, and we are still here,” she added, noting that despite the much-publicised scrutiny of the finances of Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council’s (AHPETC), residents’ lives have gone on as usual.
“There have been bad publicity and attacks on AHPETC in the past two years ... but (residents) know that we are maintaining the estate (and) implementing cyclical works like re-painting ... new covered walkways and family parks,” said Ms Lim.
She also pointed out that the town council has since resolved its financial management issues and is now filing its audited accounts on time.
Turning the bad press received by AHPETC on its head, Ms Lim said the scrutiny that was placed on the town council should give voters confidence in voting in Opposition parliamentarians.
“Voters everywhere by now should be convinced that any Opposition town council will be well-scrutinised to ensure proper management,” said Ms Lim, who also cited a blogger who wrote that “residents can sleep in peace knowing well that the (People’s Action Party) will be watching (Opposition) Members of Parliament round the clock”.
Likewise, WP chief Low Thia Khiang said the party has learnt from its ups and downs in managing AHPETC, but reiterated a point he had previously made.
“We are confident of running more town councils,” he said.
In her speech, Ms Lim declared her confidence in retaining Aljunied GRC in Friday’s polls with a light-hearted anecdote.
She recounted how she got bitten by a dog during house visits in the area in the run-up to the 2011 General Election, in which the WP eventually won the constituency.
This time, she said she was bitten again by another dog during a house visit last month.
“I have a good feeling about this General Election,” she quipped.
NG JING YNG
