MONDAY’s editorial (“Town councils: Time to clear the air”) did not discuss the dynamics of management in town councils.
These involve in-depth knowledge of complex transactions under constant scrutiny, direct management control, intricate personal relationships and governance by comprehensive panel codes.
It is unrealistic to expect MP-controlled town councils using profit-oriented commercial managing agents to provide low-cost and non-partisan public services.
I have seen management councils and managing agents in private estates waste over $1.75 million in collective condo funds as a result of the many shortcomings of democratically elected management councils and complex politics at play.
Meanwhile, innocent stakeholders suffer.
Having the HDB as managing agent is a better choice.
Before Parliament passed the Town Councils Bill in 1988, the HDB managed estates.
With thousands of workers under its direct management doing everything from cleaning to landscaping, the HDB provided uninterrupted efficient service and did a job beyond reproach.
Can the small splintered managing agents and sub-contractors today provide lower cost and better services?
There are flaws in having MPs run town councils through managing agents.
In reality, MPs are part-time bosses. Residents have no say and are unable to sack incompetent managing agents.
Unless the MP works full time to direct the day-to-day town council business, it remains just an expensive outsourcing exercise and the essence of intimate interactions with voters is lost.
It is also impossible to maintain neutrality and be non-partisan if MPs are the bosses of town councils.
When it comes to the awarding of multimillion dollar contracts, how will participating vendors who are party members, grassroots leaders, supporters and friends be differentiated?
If MPs run town councils with a laissez-faire policy, it might inadvertently compromise the interests of residents.
Hence, it would be better to return to having the HDB as managing agent under the National Development Ministry.
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Paul Chan Poh Hoi
* Letter first appeared on ST Forum (25 May)