No change in tender process for town councils’ computer systems, says Dr Teo

SINGAPORE: The People’s Action Party’s (PAP’s) Town Council Coordinating Chairman, Teo Ho Pin, has said there is no change to the tender process which was recently called for the town councils’ computer systems.

He said the process is the same as that in 2010, when the ruling party—owned Action Information Management (AIM) won the bid.

"Open tenders are open tenders... normally, there is a procedure you must comply with, which is basically to put notice in the papers, to give at least 21 days to the tenderers to submit their bids," said Dr Teo.

He made the comments at the sidelines of a Lunar New Year event in North West District on Thursday.

Controversy arose when Aljunied—Hougang Town Council Chairman Sylvia Lim questioned why the computing and financial systems developed by PAP—managed town councils were sold to AIM.

AIM’s contract with Aljunied—Hougang Town Council was terminated after the 2011 general election.

Dr Teo said the tender called then was to sell and lease back computer software to town councils.

This time round, it is for developing a new town council management system.

Dr Teo said normally, only interested parties would pick up the tender documents since there is a nominal fee involved.

He said the tender process is in compliance with the town councils’ financial rules.

— CNA/al