Appeal filed against High Court’s decision in Hougang by—election case

SINGAPORE: A Hougang resident who had tried to get the courts to order the Prime Minister to hold a by—election in her ward within three months has filed an appeal.

Madam Vellama Marie Muthu is appealing against a High Court Judge’s decision to strike out her application.

Madam Vellama, a part—time cleaner, had initiated the case in March this year, after former Hougang Member of Parliament (MP) Yaw Shin Leong vacated his post.

Her lawyer M Ravi had filed the appeal on August 16.

High Court Judge Philip Pillai had on August 1 struck out Madam Vellama’s application.

In his 53—page judgement, Justice Pillai said the Constitution does not require the Prime Minister to call elections to fill elected MPs’ vacancies.

As such, there is no "prescribed time" within which such elections must be called.

Justice Pillai said under the Constitution, the Prime Minister has the final say.

The judge will raise the issue of the costs of the application at a later date.

— CNA/wm