Panel Steers High Court Suit on Behalf of AHTC Independently
Panel Steers High Court Suit on Behalf of AHTC Independently
1. An independent panel (IP) represented Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC) at the mediation hearing at the Singapore International Mediation Centre for High Court Suit No. 668 of 2017, on 24 July 2024, and made decisions on behalf of AHTC.
2. The IP acts independently of AHTC Members of Parliament, town councillors and management, including taking decisions to initiate and pursue litigation, engage in mediation, and consent to the terms of the settlement. AHTC Members of Parliament, town councillors and management were not consulted on any of these actions from the onset.
3. The Terms of Reference (TOR) for the IP establish it as a separate body from AHTC. The IP is empowered to, inter alia, initiate, settle, withdraw, and file appeals for all legal suits, actions, and proceedings (including mediation) related to the matters addressed in KPMG’s Past Payments Reports. The TOR states that the members of the IP “shall not take any direction or instruction from any officer of AHTC, HDB or any other person”. Nevertheless, the TOR expects the IP to strive to act in the best interests of AHTC, and remain independent and impartial at all times. A copy of the TOR can be found in the Annex.
4. The IP was appointed in compliance with a consent order by the Court of Appeal on 17 Feb 2017. The IP currently consists of Mr Tan Kok Quan SC (Chairman), Mr Ong Pang Thye and Ms Eng Chin Chin.
5. AHTC has written to the IP requesting an update on the outcome of the mediation hearing, including a detailed account of all legal fees incurred.
ALJUNIED-HOUGANG TOWN COUNCIL
26 July 2024