The Workers’ Party parliamentarians who are embroiled in the ongoing Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC) trial revealed this morning that they are closing their appeal for financial support, having raised over a million dollars from the public for their mounting legal costs.
Revealing that that they have raised SGD $1,008,802 from 5000 donors as of 10am today – just about 3 days since the trio appealed to the public for help to fight the multi-million dollar lawsuits they are facing in court – Low Thia Khiang, Sylvia Lim and Pritam Singh shared that they are halting their fundraising efforts since they have garnered substantial funds to cover their legal costs.
The MPs wrote in their blog today: “We are very touched by the incredible outpouring of support from the public for the appeal that we launched barely three days ago.
“The amount raised has crossed a million dollars.
“We are closing the appeal for now, as the amount raised substantially covers the legal fees required at this point in time.
“We would like to ask you to hold your contributions if you have not transferred them.
“We will provide updates here on how the funds are used.
“We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. The financial support is crucial but the moral support you have given us is incalculable.”
On Wednesday, the opposition party leaders revealed in their blog that they have “depleted our personal resources,” having already paid $600,000 from their own pockets to their legal team as the trial progresses.
Adding that they have not used any party funds, the trio asserted that they are committed to fighting vigorously against the unfounded claims that have been levelled against them.
Shortly after the parliamentarians made their appeal for financial support, many gave to the town councillors and flooded social media with words of encouragement for the three political leaders.
Within six hours of the appeal going live, the public donated $100,000 to the MPs. Within a day, the MPs raised nearly half a million dollars. Within two days, over $900,000 had been donated to the MPs by thousands.