The Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC), run by the opposition Workers' Party, was on Wednesday (Dec 24) fined S$800 for holding a festive trade fair without a permit earlier this year. A district court had found the town council guilty on Nov 28 for flouting Section 35 of the Environmental Public Health Act. AHPETC faced a fine of up to S$1,000. (Channel News Asia)
In a surprising turn of events, AHPETC Chairman Sylvia Lim said she respects the court's decision but is not satisfied with the outcome, adding that the issue is a matter of public interest. Sylvia Lim goes on to add that the reason the Singapore Worker' Party contested the case in court was that the Singapore Worker's Party felt that "Government agencies and civil servants cannot be trusted to exercise the powers given to them under the law in a just and fair manner."
Civil servants Singapore General Elections 2016 spoke to expressed anger at Sylvia Lim's comments. A long-term civil servant and opposition supporter said that civil servants, just like any other employee working in the private sector, are hired to do a job. While there are guidelines to follow, each and everyone of us carry out our duties to the best of our abilities without fear or favor. To insinuate that we work for the People's Action Party (PAP) and that we will break the law to favor them is downright insulting and shows that the Worker's Party has lost its moral high ground. Simply put, we are also workers and we do not appreciate being used as pawns in the Worker's Party political games.
To the team at Singapore General Elections 2016, we believe that contrary to gaining sympathy points with the electorate, the outcome of the AHPETC-NEA saga is clear. By their own mistakes, the Singapore Worker's Party has concede this round to the PAP. The best part, the PAP did not have to do anything.
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