May 30, 02:11 PM 
514 Chai Chee Lane 03-16, Singapore 469029 The High Court turned down the Ministry of National Development (MND)'s application to appoint independent accountants to oversee government grants to the Workers’ Party (WP)-run Aljunied-Hougang- Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC) on May 27, 2015.
MND has appealed against the court decision yesterday.
Which means it is groundhog day for everyone involved again.
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Check out the agenda-setting nature of the media according to how they make the events play out:
Day 0 (May 27)
Source: TODAY
WP's statement
Remarks'>
Posted by The Workers' Party on Wednesday, May 27, 2015
What the media reported: Straightforward reporting by TODAY and Channel Newsasia, focusing on the court decision.
What we should also think about: The statement by WP was brief - they respected the court's decision and they hinted to everyone that their focus was to file their audited accounts for FY 13/14 and FY 14/15.
Day 1 (May 28)
The knives are sharpening with such a headline from Straits Times' frontpage:
What the media reported: Beside reporting on the court decision, the media noted Justice Quentin Loh's criticisms of WP's management of AHPETC. Loh noted that “it is clear there are grave and serious questions” in AHPETC, relating to its books and the validity and propriety of payments previously made by AHPETC to related parties.
MND told TODAY it will “study the judgment carefully” before deciding on its next steps.
What we should also think about: Apparently, The Straits Times thinks that it is more important to highlight how the Judge criticised WP, rather than to focus on the result of the court case.
Day 2 (May 29)
Enter Foreign Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam, who criticised the actions of WP.
Source: The Straits Times
Source: TODAY
What the media reported: Minister K Shanmugam remarks - 1) Called Low Thia Khiang to explain what WP is doing to set right the situation; 2) Described the WP town councillors’ conduct as unlawful; and 3) Emphasized Justice Loh's remarks on how WP Chairman misled Parliament on the late transfers to its sinking fund.
What we should also think about:
Wait a minute... why didn't the media interview the other parties involved (MND Minister Khaw Boon Wan or Minister of State Desmond Lee or any representatives from WP)? They could also interview lawyers who can enlighten us on the implications of the Justice's decision.
Day 3 (May 30)
MND appeals against court ruling
What the media reported: Statements by both MND and AHPETC.
MND: "The Government cannot disburse public funds to AHPETC in the current circumstances, given the very serious findings by the Auditor-General’s Office (AGO) and the High Court ...The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) has advised the Ministry of National Development (MND) that an appeal should be filed, for the appointment of Independent Accountants (IAs)"
AHPETC chairperson Sylvia Lim: "I’m surprised by MND’s position, especially that they are not taking the advice of the judge that MND and AHPETC should work together to arrange for the grants to be disbursed." She added that the town council will resist the appeal.
What we should also think about:
AHPETC's lawyer Peter Low said that MND is applying to have the appeal hearing expedited. #becauseelections?
Related articles:
High Court rejects govt request for independent accountants at WP-run AHPETC
Workers’ Party chairwoman Sylvia Lim: ‘We respect the court’s decision’
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