Workers’ Party AHPETC fined for running CNY Fair without Permit

SINGAPORE – The Workers’ Party’s (WP) town council was fined $800 on Wednesday after it was found guilty last month of breaking the law by holding a Chinese New Year fair without a permit.

The Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPTEC) paid the fine but intends to pursue the matter at the High Court, chairman Sylvia Lim told reporters after the hearing.

Ms Lim, who is also WP chairman, said: “We respect the court’s decision and have paid the fine. But we are not satisfied with the outcome of the case.”

The town council can appeal against its conviction, its fine or both. If the sentence is overturned, its $800 payment will be refunded.

It can also request a judicial review of the law, among other options.

The AHPETC, which rejected an earlier offer by the National Environment Agency (NEA) of a composition fine of $500 in lieu of prosecution, could have been fined up to $1,000. Under new laws, the maximum penalty has since been raised to $10,000.

District Judge Victor Yeo, who announced the fine on Wednesday, determined in his judgment last month that the Chinese New Year event from Jan 9 to Jan 30 at Hougang Central was a “temporary fair”. As such, it required a permit under Section 35 of the Environmental Public Health Act (EPHA). Click here