Say “NO” To Singapore Transport Fare Increase

[kuasimi]

http://forums.$$$$$$$$$$$$.com.sg/ea...c-4576748.html



REQUEST FOR MND’S ASSISTANCE AND AUDIT OF AHPETC

We refer to the media statement by the Ministry of National Development (MND) released on the evening of 13 February 2014. Therein, MND highlighted various concerns regarding the auditor’s report on the financial statements of Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC) for Financial Year 2012. As MND’s observations as stated are incomplete and will mislead the public, it is therefore necessary to put the MND’s statement in proper perspective.

The auditors have given us a qualified report. It is not an adverse report. They have also stated clearly that apart from their specific observations, our books, accounts and records have been kept in accordance with the Town Councils Act. The full audited report can be found at www.ahpetc.sg.

In its media statement, MND highlighted the auditors’ inability to verify certain figures. We do understand the auditors’ plight, as there were information gaps that existed at the handover after the General Election 2011 which to date are still not filled. At FY 2011, the auditors had tried to request information from former auditors, unsuccessfully. Repeated attempts by the Town Council (TC) to obtain information from the former Managing Agent (MA) and government authorities, such as asking MND / the Housing and Development Board regarding $1.12 million which the PAP-run Aljunied TC had recorded as receivables from the Citizens Consultative Committees (CCCs) for Town Improvement Projects, did not yield answers. Attempts in FY 2012 to get the information were also unsuccessful. Unless those agencies with the required information furnish them to the TC, it is likely that information gaps will remain and the accounts will continue to be qualified every year. In this regard, we note that MND could well be the best party to assist the TC to resolve some of the key information gaps.

We refer next to the transfer of monies to the TC Sinking Fund in FY 2012. We acknowledge that the TC’s practice of transferring monies to the Sinking Fund after deducting Sinking Fund expenses was an oversight, which has since been rectified. This oversight did not result in any loss of monies nor unauthorized spending. The auditors’ advice has been taken to ensure a physical transfer of monies from the Operating Fund of the TC to the Sinking Fund every quarter from now on.

Mass media reports have repeated past insinuations of impropriety in the TC awarding the MA contract to FM Solutions and Services Pte Ltd (FMSS). These must be debunked.

MND’s media statement highlighted the auditors’ observations that project management fees to a related party had not been separately disclosed in the accounts. It is standard practice for TCs which engage MAs, including PAP TCs, to include project management as part of the MA services awarded. As far as we know, TC financial statements do not specify separate reporting for project management fees paid, as these are reported as construction costs for the project or Sinking Fund expenditure. In any event, AHPETC submits quarterly returns to MND on any new contracts awarded to MAs. We are thus puzzled by the auditors’ observation as to why this leads to a qualification of the accounts, but more puzzled by why MND sees this as an issue.

It is useful to set out, again, the circumstances leading to the appointment of FMSS as MA for AHTC. Post General Election in May 2011, there was an urgent need to put in place a new MA for Aljunied GRC, as the incumbent MA had indicated its wish to be released from the MA contract. At the same time, the Town Council Management System (TCMS) had been sold to Action Information Management Pte Ltd (AIM), a company wholly-owned by the People’s Action Party, and could be terminated anytime with one month’s notice. The TC determined that there was no time to call a tender under these circumstances, and the most prudent course of action was to plan for a tender in a year’s time after the proper completion of handing over was better assured. The TC then decided to appoint FMSS, which comprised key staff from the former Hougang TC, to manage the newly gazetted Aljunied-Hougang Town. FMSS was appointed without tender for only ONE year, a transitional period, principally to oversee key tasks of the handover, using the same rates as the former MA appointed by the PAP for Aljunied TC. An open tender was then called in 2012 for a customary 3-year contract. Although three companies picked up the tender documents, only FMSS submitted a tender. The tender was rigorously evaluated and subject to a special audit. Accordingly, any allegation of impropriety is utterly rejected. Nevertheless, as indicated previously, any authority or anyone believing there was wrongdoing should report the matter to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau with whom the TC will fully co-operate.

At this point, we continue to fine-tune the town management accounting systems as we operate live on a daily basis. As MND has expressed its concerns over our accounts, we seek its assistance in resolving the issues raised by our auditor, by helping us verify and confirm the various opening figures handed over from the former Aljunied TC. We also welcome any audit by MND which it deems necessary.

[Latchon]

WP needs to be cleaner than clean, just like Mr. Chiam.

[kuasimi]

Originally Posted by Latchon

WP needs to be cleaner than clean, just like Mr. Chiam.

It will not happen and it is because you not comparing apple with apple.

Chiam See Tong and party never pose a threat to PAP losing power as government in 27 years. Thus PAP did not fix him with character assassinations to create doubts in voter's minds. PAP leave Chiam as it is so as to let the world know Singapore has Opposition and PAP is not autocratic and not despotic.Chiam was kind of a trophy to PAP.

But WP is totally different level from Chiam. WP is not base on cult figures like LKY (PAP) and Chiam (Potong Pasir). WP is a team of talented politicians that can grow to replace PAP someday. WP is PAP's only threat.

This is why PAP will always character assassinate WP people be it false or real so that WP will not look clean. But voters are smarter at this modern age compare to previous generations. This was why WP won Aljunied GRC and last two By-Elections despite bad press, defamations and smearing from PAP.

[kuasimi]

Originally Posted by Latchon

WP needs to be cleaner than clean, just like Mr. Chiam.

http://forums.$$$$$$$$$$$$.com.sg/ea...s-4583438.html

Breaking: Auditors Give Adverse Ratings to PA’s Financial Reports


Yesterday (19 Feb), Minister for National Development Khaw Boon Wan requested Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam to direct the Auditor-General to conduct an audit of the opposition-run Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council’s (AHPETC) financial accounts.

AHPETC’s auditor, Foo Kon Tan Grant Thornton LLP, had earlier submitted a “disclaimer of opinion” on AHPETC’s FY2012-13 financial statements, raising 13 issues of concern over the town council’s accounts.

Earlier, on 14 February 2014, the Ministry of National Development (MND) said that the auditor’s disclaimer of opinion “is more severe than a qualified opinion” [Link].


In yesterday’s statement, the PAP government said that the observations in the auditor’s report “raise serious questions about the reliability and accuracy of AHPETC’s financial and accounting systems”.

“This is the second year that the Auditor has submitted a disclaimer of opinion on AHPETC’s Financial Statements. Moreover the Auditor has raised several more issues of pressing concern this year, compared to last year. AHPETC’s Auditor’s Report and Financial Statements are cause for serious concern.”

As it turns out, auditors have been giving an “adverse opinion” on the financial reports from the People’s Association (PA) for several years now.

PA oversees all the grassroots activities in Singapore. It is a statutory board under the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCCY). The Chairman of PA is none other than PM Lee Hsien Loong himself.

According to ACRA, there are a few types of audit opinions. A “disclaimer of opinion” means the auditor is unable to express an opinion on the financial statements but an “adverse opinion” means qualification of the financial report is not adequate to disclose the misleading or incomplete nature of the financial statements [Link]:

http://www.tremeritus.com/2014/02/20...ncial-reports/

[curry_mutu_man]

Who says PAP govt never protect Singaporeans and help the SMEs

Thank you PAP govt for supporting the SMEs by providing the Productivity and Innovation Credit Scheme.

The PIC Scheme offers tax deductions and payouts to businesses that spend on productivity-related investments.

Also thank you for setting up Competition Commissioner of Singapore.

The purpose is to eliminate or control practices having adverse effect on competition in Singapore plus protecting the consumers from unfair company practices plus many many more.

In a nutshell, in hokkien means still got sibei sibei zhuay good acts and laws in placed to help the SMEs and protect the consumers unlike online sabo kings, fugitives, disgruntled selfish individual and the terrorists here stirring shits 24/7 !!!


Stop destroying my country and don't influence the young and the naive Singaporean to revolt against our govt, don't turn my country like what Thailand is going thru today, the people suffer the most.

Don't destroy our Singapore currency, it will depreciate in value if my country is vastly divided.

We Singaporeans jolly well know that the Online Sabo Kings, fugitives, foreign fugitives, disgruntled individual and the terrorists are out to destroy our country, we already heard loud and clear, we know your online intentions !!!!

[Latchon]

Actually good for WP that AGO is getting involved, if there's nothing for them to hide.

Free audit service with a comprehensive report + improvement recommendations to boot.

[Tai_zi21]

http://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/liv...052201756.html

Now tax for cigg increased by 10% and alcohol increased by 25%....

And i wonder where do they get their report from when they mention this


The finance minister also revealed that the labour market remains close to full employment, with unemployment rate for citizens falling to 2.9 per cent in 2013.

Meanwhile, wages of the median Singaporean worker increased by about five per cent in real terms in 2013.

[jj583]

Originally Posted by Tai_zi21

http://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/liv...052201756.html

Now tax for cigg increased by 10% and alcohol increased by 25%....

And i wonder where do they get their report from when they mention this


The finance minister also revealed that the labour market remains close to full employment, with unemployment rate for citizens falling to 2.9 per cent in 2013.

Meanwhile, wages of the median Singaporean worker increased by about five per cent in real terms in 2013.

Cant trust what they post ....
Bullshiting ....

[kuasimi]

[kuasimi]

[Tai_zi21]

http://thehearttruths.com/2014/02/23...e-cent-part-1/

http://thehearttruths.com/2014/02/25...ut-the-budget/

[curry_mutu_man]

What happened to Thailand NOW and WHY, what is the REASON behind ???


The nation is not united, peoples' view are bitterly split thus the country is not moving forward and this will scare off foreign investors and will eventually lead to currency depreciation, people hating against each other, injury and crime rate will slowly escalate !!!


My young fellow Singaporeans, this is precisely what the online sabo king, terrorist, fugitive, foreign fugitives, selfish individual etc.......are trying to do, trying to brain wash you the young Singaporeans to revolt against our hard working govt !!!


The evils are here 24/7, 365 days to brain wash you, sway you to vote against your own govt !!!


As long as you show any sign of discontent with the govt, hating the govt, the terrorists, sabo king and fugitives will play with your feeling, they pamper you and agree with whatever you say online !!!


If you disagree with them, they will instantaneously criticize you and shame you publicly, using clones to zap you into moderation thus you have got no choice but to join them and this is what I call "Cyber Bullying" and the best part is those silly blind Singaporean follow the evil to criticize your own fellow countrymen, naming Singaporean as "Sinkies", calling your own hard working govt as "Papies" or PAP supporters as "Running Dogs or Lackeys" !!!


The evils ulterior motive is to destroy our country !!!


To those silly foolish Singaporean, shame on you for naming your own fellow countrymen as "Sinkies" and shame on you for criticizing your hard working govt in front of your foreign colleagues, friends and visitors. I bet they will quietly laugh at you how silly you are.



Do you know the reason why many foreign expats fly all the way to work in Singapore, BECOS we have good working condition and environment, the govt is able to attract talent to create new ideas and boost productivity here, you silly Singaporean shame on you and wake up your pig brain and stop whining jobs have been ROBBED by foreign expats, cheap labours etc.......Your brain have been COMPLETELY WASHED and FLUSHED !!!

[kuasimi]

Joker PAP MP Gan Thiam Poh. Listen , it is so funny. Entertain better than SDA Desmond Lim.

Fare Hikes in 2012-2013.

[Tai_zi21]

Interesting piece of article by BBC

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-26349689

[Tai_zi21]

According to the campaigners, S$5 a day is what nearly 400,000 Singaporeans are left with after paying for utilities, school, rent, loan instalments and healthcare.

The people behind the challenge are Caritas Singapore, the social and community arm of the Catholic Church. They wanted to change the opinions of Singaporeans about the poor, said Tang Lay Lee, an advocate and social worker from the group.
File photo: Merlion landmark in Singapore Singapore's People's Action Party has been in power for more than half a century

"Mindsets will not change just with facts and figures about poverty. We want people to feel what it is like to be in the shoes of a person getting by on S$5 a day for food and transport," she said.

The issue has been raised in parliament by Nominated MP Laurence Lien.

"Social researchers have estimated that 10 to 15% of households are low income. We do not see poverty in your face; it's not abject poverty around here," he said.

"And that's why it's hard to understand, if you look at the infrastructure, it's beautiful but what happens behind closed doors is a different matter for most families."

Mr Lien said that despite government efforts, the problem had got worse in the past decade because of globalisation and the influx of lower-cost foreign workers who have suppressed the wages of many blue-collar Singaporeans. It is meant that the income of the poorest 20% of Singaporeans had stagnated, he said.