By virtue of the Town Councils (Declaration) Order 2020 (the “Order”), all the assets and liabilities of Pasir Ris-Punggol Town Council (“PRPTC”) relating to the area of the town of Pasir Ris-Punggol comprised in the constituency of Sengkang, including all relevant legal proceedings which were commenced prior to 28 October 2020, will be transferred to the Sengkang Town Council (“SKTC”) on 28 October 2020. 

This transfer of assets and liabilities includes the pending appeals involving PRPTC from the decision of the Singapore High Court in Aljunied-Hougang Town Council and another v Lim Swee Lian Sylvia and others and another suit [2019] SGHC 241, which are presently fixed for hearing before the Court of Appeal on 18 September 2020 (the “Appeals”).

SKTC wishes to announce that it has on 5 September 2020 appointed an Independent Panel of three distinguished persons, namely, Mr Kenneth Tan Senior Counsel, Mr Lok Vi Ming Senior Counsel and Dr Kevin Tan under section 32(2) of the Town Councils Act to exercise SKTC’s powers to make all decisions relating to the Appeals. Mr Kenneth Tan SC graduated with 1st Class Honours from the National University of Singapore and was among the first batch of Senior Counsel appointed in 1997. Mr Lok Vi Ming SC is also a Senior Counsel and served as President of the Law Society of Singapore in 2013 and 2014. Dr Kevin Tan is an Adjunct Professor at the National University of Singapore’s Law Faculty and is a noted public law scholar.

The Independent Panel’s Terms of Reference are attached*. The Independent Panel will at all times act independently and impartially in the best interests of SKTC. The members have also agreed to receive no remuneration for their services.

The appointment of the Independent Panel is in furtherance of the SKTC's previous public statement that it is fully committed to ensuring that all decisions taken in relation to the management of the Appeals are fair, transparent and in accordance with the law. 

SKTC expresses its deep appreciation and gratitude to Mr Kenneth Tan SC, Mr Lok Vi Ming SC and Dr Kevin Tan for agreeing to take up their respective appointments.

*SKTC Independent Panel Terms of Reference:
https://sktc.sg/pdf/SKTC%20Indepedent%20Panel-%20Terms%20of%20Reference.pdf