By MP for Aljunied GRC, Pritam Singh
[Delivered in Committee of Supply on 11 March 2015]
Sir, at last year’s COS debate I raised the formation of an appeals forum under the Community Improvement Projects Committee (CIPC) framework where differences of opinion, about an Opposition Town Council and the Citizens’ Consultative Committee’s (CCC) nominations for CIPC projects can be worked out. I am raising this again for consideration this year.
In Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council’s case, correspondence with the CCC on CIPC funding started in May 2012, initiated by the Town Council. The reply from the CCC came only six months later. After finally agreeing to meet the Town Council, the CCC invited the TC to submit its proposals in August 2013. The CCC replied two months later with a much shortened list of projects it supported. Some 16 months thereafter, there has been no substantive update from the CCC.
Contrast this with the $12 million of approved CIPC funding extended to the previous Aljunied Town Council thru the CCC in just 36 months from FY 2009 to 2011, $4.1m of which was withdrawn from the incoming Town Council by MND after GE2011.
I reiterate my call for the development of a neutral platform under MND’s auspices to address CIPC matters for the benefit of all residents in opposition wards.