[doctorzlo]

Regardless of the ruling of this case, the hearing is most likely the last Pillai J is going to be involved in.


Open court hearing on Hougang by-election case

SINGAPORE - The case initiated by a part-time cleaner on the by-election in Hougang will be heard in open court on 16 and 17 July.

High Court Judge Philip Pillai on Thursday set aside the two days for the hearing.

He also struck out an application by the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) to block the bid by part-time cleaner, Madam Vellama Marie Muthu.

She wanted the court to declare that the Prime Minister does not have "unfettered discretion" to decide on whether to hold a by-election in the constituency.

Madam Vellama, 42, filed her application in March this year, after former Hougang Member of Parliament Yaw Shin Leong vacated his post.

The case continued even though a by-election was held in Hougang in May.

Madam Vellama's lawyer, Mr M Ravi, had also filed summonses to cross-examine the prime minister but this was rejected by Justice Pillai on Thursday.

The judge also reserved judgement on the issue of costs.

- CNA/ir