SINGAPORE - A condominium developer which tore down a conserved bungalow in Geylang and constructed a new building in its place without the permission of the authorities was fined $12,000 in June.

The prosecution appealed to the High Court for a fine of about $200,000, arguing that the original sentence was mere a slap on the wrist and did not send an adequate signal that such conduct amounted to the most serious type of unauthorised works.

On Wednesday, Judicial Commissioner See Kee Oon turned down the prosecution's appeal in this case, citing procedural fairness, although he suggested that the outcome in future cases may well be different.

Development 26, the real estate firm building a condo on Lorong 26 Geylang, had demolished a bungalow on the site and erected a replica, which is as yet uncompleted due to a stop-work order.
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/sin....5hllaESa.dpuf