On Aug 2, the Non-Constituency Member of Parliament asked why the government is “so generous to pay SGD 193.7 million a year to pay the private consortium (Sports Hub Pte Ltd) when the operating costs would cost about SGD 68 million.”
Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong answered him by saying, “It’s not about being generous, it’s about what the contract says.”
The contractual agreement, he added, provides for the way in which the sums are calculated, and that the amount he stated includes debt servicing as well, which takes up the largest portion of the amount.
Mr Leong then asked for specifics and was told by Mr Tong that as far as he can remember, it’s around 65 per cent.
Mr Pritam Singh, the Leader of the Opposition, was then called to speak.
Mr Leong indicated he was not quite done.
“Mr Deputy Speaker,” he said, “We have not gotten to the bottom of the thing.”
The Deputy Speaker told him that the session needed to move on, in fairness to other MPs, and that Mr Leong can file a specific Parliamentary Question.
“What is the point of having a debate if we cannot get to the bottom of the thing? Having all kinds of question… we must get to the bottom of the issue.”
A point of order was called by the Deputy Speaker, who told Mr Leong, “I’ve been very fair to you and the Chair has called Mr Pritam Singh. So I invite you to take your seat.”
In a Facebook post on Aug 5 he wrote,
“The main contention is the termination cost of about $1.5 billion, which the government intends to pay the private consortium SportHub Pte Ltd (SHPL). This amount will ultimately be borne by us, the taxpayers.
Based on information about the finances and operations provided by the Minister, I am of the opinion that this sum is too generous. I will find the opportunity to present my case during the next sitting. I would also like the Minister who approved the terms of the original contract to justify the rationale of the compensation payment.”
/TISG