HPL Remark On Horizon Towers Decision 'Not Fair'

Source : The Straits Times, Nov 10, 2007

A LAWYER for a group of minority owners opposed to the collective sale of Horizon Towers yesterday said that comments made by developer Hotel Properties (HPL) on the proceedings were not fair.

HPL had commented on the possibility of the tribunal decision coming too late.

The consenting and minority owners of Horizon Towers are now battling it out at the Strata Titles Board (STB).

HPL and its two partners have been trying to buy Horizon Towers en bloc for $500 million, a price they inked in January this year.

On Wednesday, the third day of the resumed STB hearing, tribunal chairman Philip Chan said the board was under no legal obligation to rule on whether to approve the collective sale on or before Dec 11 - the sale completion date.

HPL group executive director Christopher Lim then commented to the media that the firm was surprised that the tribunal took the view that it had no duty to make a ruling before Dec 11, as that may 'potentially scuttle' the deal.

Senior counsel K.S. Rajah of Harry Elias Partnership told the board yesterday that Mr Lim, an interested party, was not qualified to comment on the board's decision when it is proceeding and ongoing.

He said the comment should be referred to the Attorney-General's Chambers.

Anyone who seeks to 'muddy the waters' must be told to lay off or face the consequences, he said.

At yesterday's hearing, sale committee member Henry Lim was cross-examined. He was asked questions that included whether sale committee chairman Arjun Samtani had disclosed his purchase of a second unit at Horizon Towers last March.