'We will be mounting a vigorous defence': Sylvia Lim on AHPETC court hearing

Representatives from the Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC) appeared at the High Court on Monday (May 4).

It was the start of a two-day hearing on whether independent accountants should be appointed, after the Auditor-General flagged lapses in the town council’s sinking fund and related party transactions.

"As the case is now before the courts, I do not think it is appropriate for me to make any comments … We will be mounting a vigorous defence and doing this in the interest of the residents. We believe this court case is wholly unnecessary," AHPETC chairman Sylvia Lim said. 

On Mar 20, the Ministry of National Development applied to the court to appoint independent accountants in order to safeguard government grants to AHPETC. The move was a first by MND for any town council.

AHPETC has appointed an external accounting firm to assist in cleaning up its earlier accounts, Ms Lim announced on Saturday (May 2).