The Punggol East by-elections are underway with the polling happening on Saturday January 26, 2013. Today, January 22, at the Worker’s Party rally, the WP chairman, Ms Sylvia Lim, spoke about the AIM related issues. Interestingly, the PAP was quick to post a reply on their page.

What continues to amaze me is that the PAP and specifically the Coordinating Chairman *still* does not think that there is an issue, despite the PM (from the PAP no less) saying that he has ordered a review of the whole transaction.

Let’s look at the statement as posted:

By Teo Ho Pin

Tuesday, 22 Jan 2013

The following statement was issued by Dr Teo Ho Pin, the coordinating chairman of PAP town councils, in response to statements made by Ms Sylvia Lim of the Workers’ Party (WP).

Ms Sylvia Lim spoke about the AIM transaction in the WP rally tonight. I have already explained the circumstances behind the transaction. To reiterate, these are the facts:

a) AIM was awarded the contract after an open tender by PAP Town Councils, to centralise software to maintain the current IT system and help develop a new system

b) The transaction brought benefits and savings to the Town Councils. AIM did not make any financial gains from the transaction.

c) It was the Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC) which terminated the contract, and not AIM. Ms Lim herself has admitted that the AHTC’s arrears are high, and that this has nothing to do with AIM or the changeover of the IT system, and that the AHTC could do better. This is the key issue – the performance of the Town Councils, and how well they are managed by the WP.

Issued by PAP HQ for and behalf of
Dr Teo Ho Pin

It is disappointing to read b) above saying that AIM did not make any financial gains from the transaction.. So AIM is a charity and does not have any profit motive. I find that very hard to believe given that the Coordinating Chairman has already stated that payments were being made to AIM in his  previous statement.

Saying that AIM did not make financial gains is merely deflecting the real issue that the 14 PAP Town Councils will loose $25,030. This is tax dollars that goes to AIM all under the false premise of “maximizing IP”.

	14 PAP Town Councils	AIM
Contract Award	$140,000 (perhaps each TC got $10K)	($140,000)
Lease (Nov 2010 – Oct 2011)	($785*14*12 => $131,880)	$131,880
Nett	$8,120
Nov 2011 – Apr 2013	($33,150)	$33,150
Nett	($25,030)

PAP has spun a web of mistrust and they just don’t get it.  Putting another PAP person in parliament via the Punggol East by-election is not what we need. I hope my fellow Singaporeans who can cast their vote this Saturday will do the Right Thing and not vote PAP.

If I have a chance to vote, I will vote the Worker’s Party.