SINGAPORE: The Ministry of National Development (MND) said in a statement on Friday (Nov 4) that is “deeply concerned” with the latest findings in auditor KPMG’s report on the accounts of Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC), and said steps must be taken to recover the public funds lost.
MND said the findings “are serious and there has been a significant loss of public monies.”
In its report released on Tuesday (Nov 1), KPMG noted “serious flaws” in AHTC’s governance. It also identified improper payments of some S$1.5 million from May 2011 to November 2015, of which S$608,911 ought to be recovered.
Some of these improprieties, if committed deliberately, “could amount to criminal conduct”, the auditor added.
MND said “to protect residents’ interests, steps must be taken to recover the monies which have been lost, and to ensure that those who acted wrongfully are held to account.”
MND added that the Government is considering what other steps are necessary, in relation to the way some of the town councillors have behaved in dealing with public funds.
HDB has also sent a letter to AHTC on Friday, asking it to confirm that it will appoint a suitable third party to take steps, on the town council’s behalf, to recover the monies which have been lost, including legal actions where necessary.
